I was really impressed by TNO on Saturday, they did not go a gallop at any point in that race thus allowing and more of a point to say flattering Jumps Road to be so close and to the eye look as though he was about to run faster than Zark/TNO just before that barging match when jockey tried to take a gap that wasn't there. From that moment on, he was put in his place. If you go slow enough, any horse with a bit of speed will show up for a split second and look good.

TNO fairly showed his ability to then quicken up and lead, going to the last, of which he could have met better, he showed his sheer class! I really like him for this, so much so that i backed him before the race taking 7/2 and a special double price of 5/1 win only! Thats not me, i love my each way but i think this is the real deal! Wouldn't be the first horse to do the sunalliance/champ hdl double either would he?

Champ Hdl portfolio so far

Our Conor 8/1
The New One 5/1 + 7/2

Those prices don't leave to much room for much else, but would be looking to go in small on MTOY before the Xmas hdl just in case he beats TNO, then al have nice on MTOY for chelt, (a kind of saver) and will go in again on TNO.
Hurricane Fly is too big at 13/2 but how many can one back in the same race lol

I though annie power beat zark in the look of a stayer, zark ran that race a bit more like he should have done against TNO, by trying to grind her into the grind, but the further they went the better she won, stayer IMO....TNO causes concern by dragging his hind legs through the hurdles, in a quicker CH race he'll lose ground and momentum every time he does that.

Anyone any idea who would be likely to make the pace in this race? Cant really see an obvious one myself.
Might be a few connections of the fancied ones a tad worried?

Un De Sceaux would lead the Champion Hurdle field, Hurricane Fly would keep a handy position, and I think the race will be won by one of those, depending whether UDS can keep the grind going (in my opinion, to date, nothing puts me off thinking he can win).

Really looking forward to the chirstmas races. Should be very informative. The Christmas Hurdle looks a cracker. Still not entirely sure what will be facing what in Ireland but hopefully there will be at least two of the big guns stay in for the Ryanair hurdle. I could see some reason or another coming out of the woodwork for the loss of one of the market principles. We will get to see if the Fly is still the December King I personally hope so

the new one wins christmas hurdle, MTOY close second with connections saying "He couldnt pick up on the ground". TNO shortens slightly to 5/2, MTOY unchanged at 4/1.

Jezki edges the fly in ryanair hurdle with our conor a length back in 3rd. Jezki into 5/1, Our conor eased to 6s as "the run was needed". The fly unchanged!

New book

TNO 5/2
MTOY 4/1
Jezki 5/1
OC 6/1
HF 6/1

Great Christmas Hurdle and well done to MTOY.  However, with the Churdle more likely to be run to suit TNO and him not having to hit the front too soon and uphill finish I expect him to turn the form round.  Very good performance as miles and miles clear of Sametagal and the others.  TNO for me in March. Though I don't expect the price to be any shorter so if you're not on I'd wait for the day.

The New One still wins it despite today

I think Conor is being looked past because people were saying he wasn't doing well a couple of months back. After that everyone was just echoing what others were saying. I think after the race on Sunday OC will be fav for this race. The good things is that nobody can use the ground as an excuse.

Yeah that's true Graeme maybe an element of people jumping on the "he's not going well at home" bandwagon.

But he disappointed on the flat in the middle of October and I'm not sure why they ran him in that and then hid him away again for two and a half months. He's racing against race-fit rivals here and it's his first time to get in the ring with the heavyweights. If he wins, then he'll rightly be favourite for the Champion Hurdle but a more respectable performance beaten by horses who've had a run is a more likely outcome in my opinion.

He hasn't really been dismissed by anyone, tbf he is trading at a best 5/1 on here without a hurdles run all season and all the main contenders have come out and won their races. The odds reflect the fact that he hasn't even seen a hurdles course in anger and everything else (TNO, MTOY, HF and Jezki as well as AP and UNC) have proved their wellbeing. It is the very fact that the horse is highly thought of that has managed to maintain his position in the market.

If he was to be be beaten by Jezki on sunday I think that might be more telling than a 2nd to HF for instance as people may draw a conclusion about the Supreme being the more important form line than the Triumph. It might also be the case that HF is able to continue his december dominance and a different result at Cheltenham occurs. They all seem well suited by the ground conditions today i just get the feeling that OC might well like some kind of good in the description to show his best.

@Graeme83, indeed, we will all be a fair bit wiser post sunday. Finally a Irish grade 1 which will be informative, it could really be a CH for the ages. Assuming they can all get there.

me to autocue

i suppose he isnt the "sexy" one!! He's a good bet tommorow.

The 'pretenders' have been out and strutted their stuff. Now, today, the Champion is out.

I think I'm going to make my first Champion Hurdle play of the year.

Hurricane Fly to win today and in March: 10/1 with Hills. If he loses today I probably won't have a bet in the race at all because I'm really struggling to separate the others and would be betting just for the sake of it.

Hurricane Fly's position amongst the great hurdlers is already cemented however if he manages to win the Champion Hurdle at the age of 10 beating off every one of what looks a strong generation of pretenders, then he is probably bordering on best hurdler of all time.

buddeliea 29 Dec 13 09:39 
So Connections of The New One say they are running a pacemaker in the Churdle.
Might help him,but will help others in the race as well I would think.
Intersting stuff though,any ideas who this horse will be??


Mad Moose

If jezki wins today MTOY will have to be clear fav for CH IMO

jezki did get boxed in but the problem was, despite travelling and jumping the best, when they approached the turn he wasn't able to pick up and therefore avoid the boxing in...he then stayed on.