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15:30 Cheltenham

Tuesday 14 March 2017

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

Stan James Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (Grade 1)

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 3m 51.0s

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Selected odds by:

Brain Power^p⁸⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: D J Mullins| T: N J Henderson| OR: 162

13/2

Has shown marked improvement this season having won his last two races both in handicap company at Sandown and Ascot. His last win at Ascot saw him score impressively off a mark of 149 and very much looked as though he would be at home in a higher grade. Did disappoint here in November but that was his first run of the season and he's an improved horse now.

Form: 1-38119

Buveur D'Air³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: N D Fehily| T: N J Henderson| OR: 157

5/1

Developed into a top-class hurdler last year finishing placed in the Supreme Novices' and taking a Grade 1 on his final start of the season at Aintree (beat Petit Mouchoir and Limini). Switched to fences this season (won both starts) before connections then had a change of heart shelving the chasing career and he returned to hurdles with an easy win at Sandown. He beat a small field on that occasion but his previous high level of form over hurdles makes him a player, although he may be better with cut in the ground.

Form: 4/1131-1

Cyrus Darius²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: B S Hughes| T: J M Jefferson| OR: 146

50/1

Lightly-raced hurdler who made rapid progress a couple of years ago (won an Aintree Grade 2) before missing over a year through injury. Very much shaped as needing his comeback run in January but stepped up on that performance when winning at Kelso the following month. May have been fortunate there but still looks capable of even better form and a lively outsider for a yard that have had Festival winners before.

Form: 11/1-410

Footpad⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Ruby Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 147

14/1

Showed some very sound form last season and was third in the Triumph Hurdle at the Festival. Continued on that upward curve over the summer with two wins in France (one in Grade 1 company) and stepped up on his previous two runs with a good second at Leopardstown last time out finishing second to Petit Mouchoir.

Form: 112424

Moon Racer¹²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 148

10/1

Lightly-raced but high-class animal who won three of his four bumper races including the Champion Bumper at the Festival in 2015. Has only had the two starts over hurdles showing his talent last time out at Cheltenham when winning a Grade 2 novice from a useful field. Although fragile, clearly talented and rates a fascinating contender.

Form: 11/211P

My Tent Or Yours^h⁷⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Aidan Coleman| T: N J Henderson| OR: 154

16/1

High-class hurdler who has been second in this race twice now on the latest occasion to Annie Power last year after a long absence. Not really sparkled since taking the runner-up slot last year and well beaten when last seen in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park.

Form: 332422

Petit Mouchoir⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: B J Cooper| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 162

6/1

Has shown some useful form when with Willie Mullins but has progressed further for his new stable this season. Fell when looking to take a hand in the finish in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle but has bounced back to win his last two races both at Leopardstown. The latest of those two races (Irish Champion Hurdle) showed him to be a genuine contender for this race despite only winning by 1L from Footpad.

Form: 23F113

Sceau Royal²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: D A Jacob| T: A King| OR: 155

25/1

Smart hurdler who is a six-time hurdles winner but all in a lower grade than he contests here. Won the Elite Hurdle at odds-on in November but has found Grade 1 and 2 company tougher on his last two starts and has work to do to reverse the form of that run with both Yanworth and Ch'tibello in this company.

Form: 106-114

The New One⁵²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N A Twiston-Davies| OR: 163

10/1

Top-class hurdler who has shown consistent form at a high level over the past few seasons. Had three previous attempts to win the Champion Hurdle (finished third, fifth and fourth) and is possibly better suited by the stiffer New Course here where he has a better record. Still in good form this season winning twice with his latest victory being his third win in the Haydock Champion Hurdle Trial. A worthy contender again but suspicion is his chance to win this race has passed.

Form: F-12153

Wicklow Brave¹³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: P Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 155

22/1

Interesting contender who has shown some very smart form on the Flat and over hurdles ad was seen at his best over hurdles when running away with the County Hurdle in 2015. Fairly lightly raced over hurdles since then (just three runs) and not seen in this sphere since finishing third in the Fighting Fifth nearly 18 months ago.

Form: P1033/8-

Yanworth^p²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: M P Walsh| T: A King| OR: 164

2/1

Developed well over hurdles last season and met with defeat for the first time over obstacles when a beaten favourite in the Neptune at last year's Festival. Has returned in good form this year with three consecutive wins; the last two over 2m at Kempton Park and Wincanton showing him in good heart and with a tough attitude in first-time cheekpieces. Likely favourite a big player here as long as his jumping, which can be a little hit-and-miss, holds up.

Form: 11112-1

Non-Runners

Ch'tibello²⁴

Weight: 11-10| Age: 6

T: D Skelton J: Harry Skelton

Forecasts

Yanworth (2/1), Buveur D'Air (5/1), Petit Mouchoir (6/1), Brain Power (13/2), The New One (10/1), Moon Racer (10/1), Footpad (14/1), My Tent Or Yours (16/1), Wicklow Brave (22/1), Sceau Royal (25/1), Ch'tibello (25/1), Cyrus Darius (50/1)

A fascinating if slightly sub-standard renewal of the 2m Championship division with the drying ground looking to favour Brain Power from the trio that trainer Nicky Henderson runs in the race. He’s clearly been put away to wait for better ground after his impressive handicap victories and deserves a chance at this level. The other major Henderson hope Buveur D’Air looks a far better horse with cut in the ground and the likely quicker surface here could leave him vulnerable. Yanworth has some high-class hurdling form to his name and will appreciate a strongly run race although there still remains a nagging doubt about his jumping under pressure and the fact that he may not quite have the gears for this. The novice Moon Racer adds an extra dimension to the race and comes here with just two hurdles runs (and wins) to his name and it’s a brave decision by connections to run him although his lack of experience could well be a problem. Irish trainers have taken the last four runnings of this race and PETIT MOUCHOIR gives them a good chance of making it five. His dominant run style could give him an easy time on the front end and his overall form matches anything in this race. The Willie Mullins duo of Wicklow Brave and Footpad look capable of outrunning their odds for the man who has trained the last two winners of the Champion Hurdle.