15:30 Cheltenham

Tuesday 13 March 2018

All13:3014:1014:5015:3016:1016:5017:30

Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (Grade 1)

  • 4YO plus  |   Class 1  |   2m 87y  |   Heavy (Soft in places)  |   11 Runners  |   Turf  |   Weighed In
  • Off time: 15:30  |   Winning time: 4m 5.0s
1st
Horse silk
1
8/15f
T: N J HendersonJ: B J Geraghty
Tracked leaders, challenged after 3 out, soon leant on rival, led before 2 out, hard pressed by runner-up after, driven flat, edged right towards finish, found extra close home op 4/7 tchd 8/11
2nd
Horse silk
nk
8
611-10
16/1
T: W P MullinsJ: P Townend
Mid-division, closed on downhill run after 5th, not much room and checked after 3 out, challenged from next, upsides winner flat, edged right towards finish, held close home op 14/1
3rd
Horse silk
3
9
711-10
33/1
T: G ElliottJ: D N Russell
Held up rear of mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, 3rd from next, unable to quicken last, soon edged left briefly, no impression but kept on
4th
Horse silk
9
6
66/1
T: H De BromheadJ: S W Flanagan
Chased leaders, mistake and lost place 4th, hit next and lost further ground, kept on before last, went 4th flat but no chance with leaders tchd 66/1
5th
Horse silk
1 ¾
4
611-10
16/1
T: A KingJ: Wayne Hutchinson
Held up in mid-division, effort 2 out, went 4th but not pace of leaders from home turn, stayed on same pace and lost 4th flat
6th
Horse silk
8
5
1011-10
6/1
T: W P MullinsJ: Ruby Walsh
Led, headed after 1st, chased leader, mistake 4th, led after 3 out, soon leant on rival, headed before 2 out, weakened well before last op 5/1
7th
Horse silk
½
11
14/1
T: W P MullinsJ: Mr P W Mullins
Held up in last trio, headway on outside 3 out, chasing leaders after next, soon ridden and beaten, weakened before last
8th
Horse silk
1 ¼
2
50/1
T: D SkeltonJ: Harry Skelton
Held up in last trio, ridden after 2 out, soon beaten, well held and hanging left before last
9th
Horse silk
17
7
50/1
T: Evan WilliamsJ: L P Aspell
Held up in rear, niggled along before 3 out, well beaten after 2 out

Also Ran

PU
Horse silk
3
100/1
T: N J HendersonJ: N D Fehily
Tracked leader, led after 1st, clear before 5th until approaching 3 out, headed after 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
PU
Horse silk
12
811-10
10/1
T: W P MullinsJ: D J Mullins
Held up in last trio, took keen hold, last and ridden before 3 out, soon losing touch, well behind 2 out, pulled up before last tchd 16/1

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Non-Runners

13
Horse silk
Verdana Blue31
Weight: 11-3|  Age: 6
T: N J Henderson  J: Non Runner
NR
10
Horse silk
My Tent Or Yours87
Weight: 11-10|  Age: 11
T: N J Henderson  J: Aidan Coleman
NR

Betting Breakdown

Tote Win:£1.50Pl:£1.10, £2.10, £4.20EX:£6.80Trifecta:£61.00Tricast:£75.36SF:£6.67Swingers:£1.70, £6.40, £17.00

Forecasts

Buveur D'Air (8/15), Faugheen (6/1), Yorkhill (10/1), My Tent Or Yours (12/1), Wicklow Brave (14/1), Melon (16/1), Elgin (16/1), Mick Jazz (33/1), Ch'tibello (50/1), John Constable (50/1), Identity Thief (66/1), Verdana Blue (66/1), Charli Parcs (100/1)

Verdict

If Faugheen returned to the form that saw him win this race in 2015, he would surely go close to landing his ninth Grade 1 here, but with doubts about exactly how much ability the 10-year-old has retained after two below par efforts at Leopardstown, the most likely winner has to be BUVEUR D'AIR. Nicky Henderson's charge may not have beaten much so far this season, but the manner of his victories have been most convincing and he could be the first horse to win back-to-back renewals of the race since Hardy Eustace in 2004/2005. My Tent Or Yours and Elgin can fight it out for minor honours with the former narrowly preferred given his record at the course.
  1. Buveur D'Air
  2. Faugheen
  3. My Tent Or Yours

Previous Winners

2017
Buveur D'Air
Weight: 11-10  |Age: 6
5/1

Prize Money

1st: £266,384.002nd: £99,958.003rd: £50,049.004th: £24,931.005th: £12,536.006th: £6,268.00

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