Champion Hurdle 2020

[Istabraq]

Not if Benie gets supplemented tomorrow

Calm down ryan, no-one needs that....

'picture of man crying'

[ryanh97]

Calm down ryan, no-one needs that....

'picture of man crying'

Don't think Q will cry

[Quevega]

For them to announce that today, sounds like they will not be declaring her at 6 days tomorrow, which is surprising as anything could happen between now and Sunday with regards Epatante or other fancied runners for example.

[ryanh97]

Turning down a chance to train a champion hurdle winner, might as well give up training racehorses.

Pocket talking of course

[Innoko]

For them to announce that today, sounds like they will not be declaring her at 6 days tomorrow, which is surprising as anything could happen between now and Sunday with regards Epatante or other fancied runners for example.

It clearly doesn't matter.

They wish to support the Mares race, so opposition (or lack of) in the CH is of no consequence it seems.

[AnFiieLD.]

For them to announce that today, sounds like they will not be declaring her at 6 days tomorrow, which is surprising as anything could happen between now and Sunday with regards Epatante or other fancied runners for example.

Perhaps they’re trying to get Willie and Rich to consider going elsewhere by announcing today

[Quevega]

Exchanges suggest they will be running against each other in the Mares.
Which is a shame for the Champion hurdle, which looks like a handicap without either of these two in it.
Apart from Epatante, thank fuck they think she needs two miles.

[Istabraq]

Perhaps they’re trying to get Willie and Rich to go elsewhere by announcing today

The only viable alternative for BDD is the Stayers and Paisley Park will take some beating there, this is the right race for BDD and represents her best chance of winning at the festival so for me is 100% the right race to tackle.
I'd say targets only really change when conditions alter significantly, not the opposition...

[SuperTiger]

Perhaps they’re trying to get Willie and Rich to consider going elsewhere by announcing today

I don't think they'd take such a risk just to get them to move BDD, this is her better suited trip and they obviously think it's her best chance of winning. I think it's the wrong move personally but it's gonna be some race!

[OscarWhisky]

I'd be surprised if we learn anything about Honeysuckle tomorrow, would imagine she'll keep her entry in both the Champion & Mares Hurdles.

However, of far more interest will be if Benie DD is supplemented. I'm guessing RR is hardly wanting for dollar but if she is entered you'd have to assume there's a good chance she goes Champion.

I only wrote this 30 mins ago, am gobsmacked by the update. The only point in releasing that info today was trying to influence BDD to go Champion. Would have made much much more sense to retain their entries tomorrow and keep their options open. They could end up facing Benie, who I hope isn't scared off (I doubt she will be) rather than a depleted Champion field if there are any further non runners in the next few days?

Doesn't inspire any confidence in the horse for me. At all.

[ComplyOrDie]

Turning down a chance to train a champion hurdle winner, might as well give up training racehorses.

Pocket talking of course

She can go there next season if she turns out to be that good.

[FaugheenTheMachine]

If this race was run at Haydock as a Champion Hurdle trial I’d be passing it over as a no bet race; sadly because it’s Cheltenham we get sucked in don’t we

[charlie]

Exchanges suggest they will be running against each other in the Mares.
Which is a shame for the Champion hurdle, which looks like a handicap without either of these two in it.
Apart from Epatante, thank fuck they think she needs two miles.

It's great for the Mares hurdle

[Quevega]

It's great for the Mares hurdle

Definitely
But not great for racing generally

[Istabraq]

Definitely
But not great for racing generally

Give it a couple of years and the new Ryanair 2m 4f G1 hurdle will mean they can all avoid each other...