Pentland Hills is fascinating,he'll travel beautifully and nothing will jump better than him as he's exceptional I think in that department, but he does have a quirk for sure that we didn't see last year but are now, perhaps he's getting bored

He was quirky on the flat which could even be seen in a winning effort but he really showed himself up one day at Thirsk in August 2018.

If all this can be ironed out then he's right there IMO.

Perhaps we need another race now called the Geldings Hurdle to encourage owners of geldings to keep them in training

Not long for it to of recovered since Newbury.

Bumped into willie mullins

Shut up you idiot, we see plenty of Irish racing,more than enough to find winners at Cheltenham, along with the British winners

chip on shoulder.

if pic dorhy were to be supplemented for this what price would he be ? will  be rated in the  150s after last win .

After the rubbish last year I promised myself not to get involved with it this year, but slipped up last night unfortunately.
So I don’t wish to respond to posts such as yours and others that don’t involve what interests me ie horses and their chances at the festival.
I’ve apologised and b0ll0cked myself .

Of course the price of Cilaos Emery is solely associated with trainer eg behind Mick Jazz and Apple's Jade; well beaten in the Supreme; 2 years off track; 1 full season over fences; received 7lbs from a 153 rated hurdler. He's no Buveur D'Air who was switched after 2 unconvincing wins over fences plus a significant external factor.

On the above it's extremely unlikely CE will be involved at the finish; probably 5th string (behind Sharjah) and others in Mr Mullins' pecking order. I believe he needs supplementing too; a bookie's benevolence at 9/1.

I think Epatante is the rightful fav (at present) given the beating she gave to Silver Streak (a good yardstick) and Ballyandy (received 3lbs/beat Pentland Hills); 7lbs allowance is a massive factor too. I think the danger could be Pentland Hills if race is run to suit.

Cilaos Emery will be a major shock if involved at the finish.

Without last year's course flop , Epatante would be regarded as a worthy favourite , won on two undulating staying tracks , two left handed tracks and last two as easy as you could wish to see . Rating could be higher but is very unexposed . I am biased as backed straight after Newbury but  would just feel slightly more confident if Hendo wasnt throwing so many darts .

I think there is merit in the race where Epatante beat Silver Streak and Ballyandy easily; PH would have won if ridden slightly differently against Ballyandy, but Epatante beat him convincingly though. And, given the same ground she'd be the one to beat.

Also, I believe her trainer mentioned say she was still affected by the inoculation that stopped horse racing for a short period. I think she was a short priced fav for the novice Mares hurdle too.

Penzance .....yes i realised that.

My remarks were to impossible and buddelia.

Racist people are not comfortable with being exposed , calling it rubbish or walking away when challenged.
When they themselves are racially abused, they dont like it.

The most significant of all is the 7lbs sex allowance. As such I think Honeysuckle would be silly not to run here (if softish) than to face Bernie in The Mares. On good ground Verdana Blue could be in the mix given her defeat of Buveur D'Air.

Stick to the horses and the races Irish, the forum will be so much better, and we can help each other out.

I don't know why those sort of comments are said on here, and if they are meant in a racist way then of course that's wrong.
Yes I could call people out,like i did you last night,but i am trying not to get involved with non horsey matters this year.
Anyway I reacted wrong and apologised,but their is nothing racist about me I can assure you of that.

Glad you agree.lets get on with the horses Irish.

I have had another look at the race this evening.

Full disclaimer: I backed Epatante and Pentland Hills earlier in the season.  I am trying not to let that colour my view.

A few notes on horses discussed above:

1. Cilaos Emery.  It doesn't have no chance, especially this year, but it just doesn't stack up to me.  Who among us can claim they thought this was plan A on 1st November last year?  Nobody.  Yes, he won the G1 Punchestown Novice hurdle after a good effort in the supreme, but he was beat fair and square by Mick Jazz that Christmas.  Even with the latter getting placed in the CH after that, it is a push to think CE is CH material.  What has happened since then to change that view.  If the Gowran form suggests he might yet match his best chase form over hurdles, I still don't think that makes him good enough.  He has a small chance, but I would want 33s frankly.  The current prices are baffling.

2. Epatante.  Now I have been in the vanguard of her fanclub, I am on, and I think she will win.  But looking back at the videos tonight, I have a nagging doubt about her jumping.  She wasn't steetwise enough last year; fair enough.  He jumping was rusty on her first run this year; fair enough.  The Kempton race favoured her acceleration (compared with Ballyandy and Silver Streak, for example); fair enough.

There are very minor quibbles about single runs.  But watching the whole lot back at once, I just wonder, even as she is still imporving race to race, will her jumping stand up to a Champion Hurdle, and one which may be a relatively big field?  I am not saying it won't, and I a licking my lips in anticipation of her winning handsomely, but the nagging doubt persists.

3. Pentland Hills.  I absolutely agree with buddeliea.  I don't think we have seen the best of him, and taking a literal line through Ballyandy to Epatante is probably not sensible.  May be that a furious gallop will really suit, as it is not as if he didn't willingly go clear at Haydock; he downed tools and got outstayed.  I really don't think he is *that* tricky (who'd be a jockey?), and that a real good pace, if he travels in behind it, might make it less likely that anything can come back for a second go if he does hit the front after the last.  Would need some steely nerved jockeying, though, Nico.

4. Finally Honeysuckle.  Should she run here, I think she will get done for tactical pace.  Go and have a match with Benie, and make the mares hurdle worth giving a toss about watching.

The Champion Hurdle looks as weak as I've ever seen it, but something has to win it.
Epatante could be very good but looks a silly price on what she's done so far. If she was in the Mare's Hurdle she would be 3rd fav at best.For all that she does look by far the best of the home challenge.
Pentland Hills I just cannot have at all. Looks like a weak 5yo who could turn out to be decent but not this year and he's just a shocking price.

Supasundae is interesting and for his consistency its hard to see him not reaching the frame. I suspect all is not well with Sharjah and will be surprised if he gets there.
Willie Mullins could have run Benie De Dieux or even Stormy Ireland. He could have brought Melon back for another crack at this. If, as looks likely, Cilaos Emery is supplemented it's significant in that he may well be his only runner as he's not going to ask another owner to supplement. I think there's still value in his price (I know some of you don't see it that way) and he will go off much shorter on the day.He was a good novice who has looked a better horse since coming back from injury.In a very poor renewal, Cilaoe Emery and Supasundae look value bets to me.

I saw him win at downpatrick in August then back to the hotel to see united beat Chelsea 4-0 whilst he as very impressive it never entered my head he would become a serious champion hurdle contender that afternoon,nor did it enter my head united would be in the m s they are in.

irish you dont seriously belive that none of us have looked at  or considered darver star for this ? he has a decent shout on the envoi allen form but i cant back em all.