**** CHAMPION HURDLE ****

Hurricane Fly (13/8), Rock On Ruby (6), Zarkandar (6), Grandouet (8), Binocular (16), Cinders And Ashes (16), Countrywide Flame (20), Oscar Whisky (20), Cotton Mill (33), Cash And Go (40), Grumeti (40), Peddlers Cross (50), Raya Star (50), Rebel Fitz (50), Cause Of Causes (66), Overturn (66), Thousand Stars (66), Balder Succes (80)


Alot of these have raced on heavy and most were not suited by it so it Ashes to Ashes for me.

Only one horse has ever regained a Champion Hurdle crown (Comedy of Errors 73 + 75) and only three horses since 1951 have won a Champion Hurdle at aged 9 or over - Hurricane Fly is 9 and trying to regain the crown.

7/4 ?!?!...P'AH

What will Ruby choose ? - he has Hurricane Fly or Zarkandar ... I reckon it'll be the Fly...silly man !

More I watch last years race, less I think HF should have won. Was never more than a couple of lengths behind ROR and beaten fair and square. Just think the fly dont look as good vs others on quicker ground than the usual bogs he wins on.

From what I can tell no horse has ever done it which rules out HF

Sorry

Balder Success - Trainer targeting a favourable mark for a big handicap next year.

Binocular - Stats are against him but will go close if he gets fast ground.

Cause Of Causes - Won decent prize money for connections which pays for his outing in this. Overlooked.

Cinders And Ashes - Hasn't returned to form this year. Disappointing.

Cotton Mill - Decent horse who holds better chances in other races.

Countrywide Flame - Won a substandard Triumph and made to look very ordinary last time out.

Flying Cross - Unlikely to run.

Grandouet - Difficult to train and ran as well as could be expected on reappearance. Lacks the ability to sustain a challenge and may not be tough enough. Has a preference for flat tracks.

Grumeti - Interupted preparation means he hasn't ran since May '12. Lacks the experience for a race like this.

Hurricane Fly - In the form of his life this year according to his trainer. Jumps well, stays and quickens. Hard to beat.

Khyber Kim - 3rd string for trainer and best days are behind this 11yo.

My Tent Or Yours - Exciting novice but hasn't convinced with his jumping and will benefit from the experience of the Supreme this season and Champion for next year.

Oscar Whisky - Unlikely to run. Favourite for World Hurdle and trainer has other options.

Overturn - Unlikely to run. 2nd fav for the Arkle.

Peddlers Cross - Unlikely to run. Connections targeting the World Hurdle.

Ransom Note - Outclassed at this level.

Raya Star - Constantly improving but still some way short of these rivals.

Rebel Fitz - Form of Galway Hurdle win has been franked and could run well at a decent price if he turns up, however he may not be capable of reproducing that run.

Rock On Ruby - Hasn't convinced in his runs since winning this race last year. Expect a bold show from the front until fading. Will set things up for others.

Steps To Freedom - Still unexposed over hurdles and has huge potential. May not be up to this standard but interesting to see if he runs.

Thousand Stars - Consistent yardstick who has the Aintree Hurdle as his target.

Zaidpour - Lacks the speed to be competitive at this level and has been campaigned over staying trips this season.

Zarkandar - One defeat over hurdles when completing and thundering home in the Champion last year when 5th. Different tactics when winning the International and expected to build on that impressive display. May be a difficult horse to pass and likes a battle.

Summary: I make it Hurricane Fly (fav) versus Zarkandar (2nd fav).ZZzzzZZZZzzz!!! I also think Binocular will run well

THANK Blarney

Just a few to mention again...

Binocular - Stats are against him but will go close if he gets fast ground.
Cause Of Causes - Won decent prize money for connections which pays for his outing in this. Overlooked.
Cinders And Ashes - Hasn't returned to form this year. Disappointing. But heavy ground has been against him.
Countrywide Flame - Won a substandard Triumph and made to look very ordinary last time out.
Grandouet - Difficult to train and ran as well as could be expected on reappearance. Lacks the ability to sustain a challenge and may not be tough enough. Has a preference for flat tracks.
Hurricane Fly - In the form of his life this year according to his trainer. Jumps well, stays and quickens. Hard to beat on soft/heavy going. Stats against him.
Oscar Whisky - Unlikely to run if ground is good. Favourite for World Hurdle and trainer has other options.
Raya Star - Constantly improving but still some way short of these rivals.
Rebel Fitz - Form of Galway Hurdle win has been franked and could run well at a decent price if he turns up, however he may not be capable of reproducing that run.
Rock On Ruby - Hasn't convinced in his runs since winning this race last year. Expect a bold show from the front until fading. Will set things up for others.
Steps To Freedom - Still unexposed over hurdles and has huge potential. May not be up to this standard but interesting to see if he runs.
Zarkandar - One defeat over hurdles when completing and thundering home in the Champion last year when 5th. Different tactics when winning the International and expected to build on that impressive display. May be a difficult horse to pass and likes a battle.

Yup, fancied Zarkandar for my 'jackpot' horse since last month as mentioned on here on a different thread. Really like his chances! Already got a bundle on and threatening to overbroke my book on everything else !

Zarkandar definitely a big danger, Nicholls said in the Autumn that he'd never been right last year and I thought he travelled like a much quicker horse on Saturday.