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15:30 Cheltenham

Tuesday 12 March 2019

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

Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (Grade 1)

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 3m 59.07s

1^st

Espoir D'allen

511-10

16/1

T: G P CromwellJ: M P Walsh

Held up in mid-division, closed 4 out, 3rd before 3 out, led 2 out, allowed to drift right when drawing clear before last, stayed on strongly, impressive

2^nd

Melon

711-10

20/1

T: W P MullinsJ: P Townend

Led until 2 out, no impression on winner before not fluent last, edged right flat, being closed on by 3rd close home op 16/1

3^rd

Silver Streak

611-10

80/1

T: Evan WilliamsJ: Adam Wedge

Held up in rear, jumped right at times, closed after mistake 4 out, went 3rd last, no chance with winner, kept on under pressure and closing on 2nd close home op 66/1

4^th

1 ½

Laurina

611-3

5/2

T: W P MullinsJ: Ruby Walsh

Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out, hit next, ridden after 2 out, dropped to 4th last, stayed on same pace tchd 4/1

5^th

Verdana Blue

711-3

33/1

T: N J HendersonJ: D N Russell

Held up towards rear, went 5th 3 out, shaken up after 2 out, never on terms and well held before last

6^th

Apple's Jade

711-3

7/4f

T: G ElliottJ: J W Kennedy

With leader, hit 2nd, lost 2nd 4 out, well beaten before 3 out op 85/40 tchd 9/4

7^th

Global Citizen

711-10

50/1

T: B PaulingJ: David Bass

Mid-division on inside, ridden and weakened before 3 out, tailed off

Also Ran

Brain Power

811-10

33/1

T: N J HendersonJ: N de Boinville

Held up in rear, not fluent 4th, slightly hampered 4 out, soon ridden and beaten, weakened before next, pulled up before 2 out

Buveur D'Air

811-10

11/4

T: N J HendersonJ: B J Geraghty

Held up in touch in 4th, fell 3rd tchd 3/1

Sharjah

611-10

20/1

T: W P MullinsJ: Mr P W Mullins

Held up in mid-division, brought down 3rd

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Betting Breakdown

Tote Win:£22.30Pl:£3.30, £2.80, £7.30EX:£277.60Trifecta:£17,569.50Tricast:£22,067.60SF:£251.60Swingers:£48.80, £103.70, £156.70

Forecasts

Apple's Jade (7/4), Laurina (5/2), Buveur D'Air (11/4), Espoir D'allen (16/1), Melon (20/1), Sharjah (20/1), Verdana Blue (33/1), Brain Power (33/1), Global Citizen (50/1), Silver Streak (80/1)

BUVEUR D’AIR bids to become only the sixth triple winner of the blue-riband of hurdling (Istabraq (1998-2000) the most recent) and he arguably faces his most difficult opponent yet giving 7lb to the blossoming Apple’s Jade. However, in some respects he faced a similar challenge in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle in November (against the very well-regarded Samcro) and he passed that test with absolutely flying colours. So often the underestimated Champion, he can finally take his deserving place in Champion Hurdle folklore. In terms of looking for the future generation, the talented 5yo Espoir D’Allen fits the bill and therefore rates as a reasonably fair each-way option.