Cheltenham Betting
Champion Hurdle Betting
The 2009 renewal of the Champion Hurdle saw arguably the classiest field line up for quite some time. The great news for punters is that 2010 is shaping up to be even better.
In fact, it promises to be an absolute belter.
The ante post market, currently showing three co-favourites (at 5/1 the field), goes a long way to suggest the race is wide open. Indeed backing the first six horses in the betting at level stakes, would result in a break-even return at the very least.
Certainly a spread betters paradise. However the kind odds available mean that finding the right selection could well lead a very handsome return.
Last years winner Punjabi (9/1) looks set to spearhead a three pronged attack from trainer Nicky Henderson, who’s yard on the whole has been in fine shape so far this campaign.
The seven-year old triumphed in gutsy fashion last March, however there is a question raised whether he may just have been a beneficiary of tired horses, after what was a frenetic gallop. His seasonal bow at Cheltenham doesn’t bode well either. After a confident ride, he blew up a fair way from home and was well beaten.
The victor that day, Khyber Kim (8/1), also had 2009 runner-up Celestial Halo (10/1) and the smart Medermit (33/1) behind him. Clearly relishing Cheltenham’s undulating circuit and uphill finish, he looks a real force to be reckoned with.
Amongst a potential field of horses on the vast upgrade, the second of Henderson’s team, Binocular (15/2) appears to have gone the other way. Deemed a shade unlucky when third in the race last year, he ended the 08/09 season rated as Time form’s top two-mile hurdler at 166.
On both starts to date this term however he has not looked the same animal, and the opinions that he cannot produce when popped a true question, are looking increasingly valid.
Each occasion saw Binocular finish at the wrong end of one of this year’s co-favourite, Go Native (5/1).
Noel Meade’s charge won an apparently weak Supreme Novices Hurdle last term. Those notions were well and truly put to bed when the seven-year old romped home in the Fighting Fifth, before showing battling qualities to follow up that success in the Christmas Hurdle on Boxing Day.
He is without doubt a justified co-favourite based on those efforts. However, now in-roads can really be made into franking the form guides.
Another yard at Kempton would have seen Go Native overturned by Starluck (16/1), evidently one of the biggest improvers this season.
This form has to really bolster the credentials of Zaynar (5/1) - the horse who beat Starluck comfortably in last years Triumph.
The five-year old grey is unbeaten to date, and looks to be the real jewel in Nicky Henderson’s crown. He has a class about him reminiscent of the great Istabraaq and easily has the scope to improve towards being an animal of such calibre. He is unquestionably the one to beat come March 16.
