With two weeks until the best week of racing begins I will start off by looking at the championship races of all four days.
Day one, The Champion Hurdle.
Without doubt a disappointing renewal in my opinion, many of the contenders you might have thought would be in the line up are not for one reason or the other. Buveur D’Air is quite rightly odds on to retain his crown, if anything he seems to have improved this year. Looking back to the horses that finished behind him in last years race, it would seem that was a stronger test than what he will face this year. The way he has gone through his races this year suggests to me he is more the finished article and he was probably only in second or third gear. As it stands in this moment he is as much as a good thing as you can get and I could see him winning by 5 lengths.
The only spanner that could be thrown into the works is the unknown factor, which Faugheen will turn up if indeed he gets there in one piece. There was the successful comeback after so much time away from the racecourse, followed by the race at Christmas where no answers were found as to the poor showing. Most recently the defeat to Supasundae in the Irish Champion Hurdle, which run over two miles should have suited Willie Mullins’ charge much more than the strong stayer of Jessica Harrington. There hasn’t been that electric jumping and pace he showed when carrying all before him. I would say he could still run to a place and maybe the spring weather and possibly a better surface may help his cause. One thing is for sure, if the old Faugheen turns up it would be something to see him give it up to the favourite as they charge up the hill.
If the enigma Yorkhill runs could he be a player, I’m not so sure but Ruby still remains absolutely sure of the class he has. For me though he has place possibilities at best. Nicky Henderson also has a pretty solid number two for owner J.P McManus in the old warrior, My Tent Or Yours. Now ten years old I was really impressed with the way he battled to victory in his only start this year, beating The New One on ground plenty soft enough for him. With spring ground and the way he always runs super at the festival I definitely see him running to a place and if there were any problems with his stable mate, who knows he could finally land the crown instead of being the bridesmaid again.
At. A big price, one that could outrun his odds for me is John Constable especially if it’s good ground on day one.
My prediction and odds.
1. Buvuer D’Air 4/7
2. My Tent or Yours 10/1
3. John Constable 50/1
No comments:
Post a Comment