Champion Hurdle 2020

[ComplyOrDie]

Of course fine won't be. Just saying "isn't good enough" seems harsh given it's only one performance at a track he's run badly at previously. He's one i wouldn't back, but wouldn't be shocked to see run a big race in an Arkle. It does look turd afterall!

The key trial he wasn't good enough, that is fact, so I stand by that.

I expect him to run a big race at Cheltenham because he usually does, though I doubt it will be the Arkle now, as he has so much ground to make up.

Agree the Arkle looks pretty turd though.

[ComplyOrDie]

I'd be inclined to agree re not looking an out and out 2 mile chaser, but at the same time I would be weary writing him off. Whilst his Cheltenham form is always the bridesmaid never the bride, 222 is still very consistent and you could easily argue he goes into the race with a better chance than some subsequent winners, like Duc des Genievres and the horse we don't name. He's 25/1 now and if he goes off 20/1 on the day (providing he goes here) then I will definitely be backing him each way.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of Melon, especially with the festival in mind, and well aware of his consistency at Cheltenham.

I have him backed 'any race' from a long time ago anyway, so which race he ends up in is irrelevant with regards to my own personal gain, but I would struggle to see him make up 20 lengths from last time out. He'd be another good winner for me, so I hope you are right, should he end up here.

[charlie]

Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of Melon, especially with the festival in mind, and well aware of his consistency at Cheltenham.

I have him backed 'any race' from a long time ago anyway, so which race he ends up in is irrelevant with regards to my own personal gain, but I would struggle to see him make up 20 lengths from last time out. He'd be another good winner for me, so I hope you are right, should he end up here.

I would probably send him here though if he were mine and just have a go.

[MadeinJapan]

There been some decent points made on here regarding Mullins supplementing in a poor renewal. FYI: For anyone not on & looking to, Paddys quoted me 12/1 Cilaos Emery (he's 8s across the board today bar Hills (12/1) who aren't NRNB after a sea of blue yesterday) & 20/1 Stormy Ireland both NRNB yesterday. Had to ring them direct, said won't be adding to online market until confirmed supplemented, stake limited but may not be for everyone. Not sure they'll have been hammered on it either as don't think they'll have had many requests.

[KingSprinterSacre]

Looks like Willie hasnt supplemented anything?

[KingSprinterSacre]

Honeysuckle still in champion, no benie

[ComplyOrDie]

No supplemented horse from WPM. Take it there are other stages to be able to supplement?

[Faugheen_Machine]

No supplemented horse from WPM. Take it there are other stages to be able to supplement?

Thought you could only supplement at 5 day stage

[ComplyOrDie]

THE FOLLOWING 5 HORSES HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED:
Klassical Dream (FR), Monsieur Lecoq (FR), Pacify, Saldier (FR), Thebannerkingrebel (IRE)

[ComplyOrDie]

Thought you could only supplement at 5 day stage

Ah great, you probably can then, would make sense.

[Craigy14]

Sure the fees are a lot higher closer to the festival is it not?

Probably waiting to see how things pan out before committing anything yet. Would be silly to supplement Cilaos then he runs a stinker (get the fee may be relatively small) and then they don’t go anyway.

[squiggsy68]

Sure the fees are a lot higher closer to the festival is it not?

Probably waiting to see how things pan out before committing anything yet. Would be silly to supplement Cilaos then he runs a stinker (get the fee may be relatively small) and then they don’t go anyway.

They are - but it would cost them as much to supplement today as it would do at noon, March 4th (which is the cut off) - there's no reduced supplement fee for doing it now. If you didn't enter originally then all you can do is supplement for the big fee.

Hence no-one will do it until the last minute as a lot can go wrong in the next 3 weeks!

[Quevega]

https://cheltenham.attheraces.com/features/sectional-spotlight/unibet-champion-hurdle

rowlands view of champion from a sectional/times perspective.
makes a lot of sense and happy that it mostly backs up my view of the pace angle/how the races were run, of all the key trials.
Mares are the best.

[squiggsy68]

https://cheltenham.attheraces.com/fe...hampion-hurdle

rowlands view of champion from a sectional/times perspective.
makes a lot of sense and happy that it mostly backs up my view of the pace angle/how the races were run, of all the key trials.
Mares are the best.

I had a small bit e/w on Verdana Blue at 33s NRNB (and best odds guaranteed as its 365, bizarrely - though I can't imagine that will come into play) on the basis that I can't imagine Hendo will run her in it again in unsuitable conditions. Not likely to turn up I know, but that means money back at worst. So I'm quite encouraged by that!!

Think she's joint top rated on RPR as well - though clearly massively ground dependent.

[Coneygree15]

I had a small bit e/w on Verdana Blue at 33s NRNB (and best odds guaranteed as its 365, bizarrely - though I can't imagine that will come into play) on the basis that I can't imagine Hendo will run her in it again in unsuitable conditions. Not likely to turn up I know, but that means money back at worst. So I'm quite encouraged by that!!

Think she's joint top rated on RPR as well - though clearly massively ground dependent.

If it is actually good ground, I genuinely believe Verdana Blue would win. However, it's never good ground any more for the CH, is it? So there really aren't any conditions for her to win this. A shame - in my view there should be every chance of a good ground CH to balance out the soft ground ones.