Champion Hurdle preview
Filed on 6 Mar 2008 @ 10:31
Champion Chase preview
Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle preview
Cheltenham, 3.15 pm Tuesday 11 March 2008. 2m ½f £360,000
Visit Graham's site for latest offers for Cheltenham
| | |
| Harchibald | 152 | The enigma who may become the champion. It appears all the main players will be turning up for the fun. Given that scenario, the race should be run at a ferocious pace. With the fancied horses likely to kick for home between the final two hurdles, he will have every opportunity to execute the exaggerated waiting tactics required. His pilot will need to possess the mental strength to come fast, late, creeping into the action on the run-in and stealing it from under the nostrils of his opponents. Harchibald won his warm up race at Dundalk on the 29th February and should arrive at Cheltenham spot on for the big day.
|
| Straw Bear | 151 | Won the Christmas Hurdle in game fashion, before running slightly below par at Sandown Park. I still feel he is best on soft to heavy ground on a flatter track, and the hill may catch him out again.
|
| Sizing Europe | 149 | Created a favourable impression, winning easily at Leopardstown. He still has something to find with the top two on FSF figures, his speed figure letting the overall figure down. To my eyes, he was spending far too much time in the air at his hurdles during the AIG Hurdle; he will not be able to repeat that at Cheltenham. Looking back to that race, it should be noted that Hardy Eustace needs further these days, and Al Eile is a better horse when he is fresh. Sizing Europe did however win very easily, and looks sure to figure at the business end of the race.
|
| Osana | 148 | Having finished second to Sizing Europe at Cheltenham, Osana returned to Prestbury Park to run out an impressive winner of the International Hurdle in December. However, he was in receipt of 4lb from Katchit and will meet that fellow on level terms. As with so many horses that like to race prominently, or indeed make the running, Osana is probably best fresh. Therefore, I do not consider his absence since December a worry. I wonder in the heat of a Champion Hurdle, if he will be able to repeat that all the way win. He made most of the running in last season’s County Hurdle only to fade up the run in. There was no sign of that in December, and is fair to assume he is a much stronger horse nowadays.
|
| Sublimity | 147 | The reigning champion. I am still of the opinion that he won a weak renewal in 2007. Reported to have worked brilliantly recently; any support in the market, as we approach the race, would be deemed significant. His FSF rating is based on his Champion Hurdle run and he was at the top of his game that day. If they are correct, he will need to up his game by five-lengths; I am not sure that is a likely scenario.
|
| Afsoun | 143 | Generally disappointing this season and hard to fancy him. Won at Sandown Park, though his FSF rating achieved was below his best figure. Overall, I feel he will be playing for a place at best.
|
| Katchit | 143 | May be a year too soon for this game performer. Nevertheless, he loves Prestbury Park and will, I am sure, not be disgraced.
|
| Jazz Messenger | 143 | Consistent and genuine. However, I do not feel Cheltenham is a track where he can produce his best form.
|
| Ebaziyan | 138 | Should have the fast pace he loves. I have a sneaky feeling he will run a big race and make the frame.
|
| Catch Me | 136 | Not short of ability and held off Jazz Messenger in game style at Gowran Park recently. May need genuine soft ground to produce his very best form.
|
| Blythe Knight | 135 | Well held by Katchit at Wincanton; Aintree looks his best chance of picking up a good race.
|
| De Valira | 131 | Ran well after a long lay-off behind Catch Me at Gowran Park. He will need to improve considerably to trouble the market leaders.
|
Filed on 6 Mar 2008 @ 10:31
|
![[the-racehorse.co.uk]](/images/logo-racehorse-footer.gif){kind=logo}