Timed in 3 mins 46 secs in goodish ground, the 2014 Supreme was run in one second slower time than the seniors 3 hrs later. Novices carry 3lb less. Rock On Ruby's 3 mins 50 in 2012 Champion was 6 seconds faster than the Fly in 2013 and 2 seconds faster than the Fly in 2011. Last year was the the fastest of the last eight Champion Hurdles. Faugheen 3.46 at Kempton, Fly 3.57 for Irish Champion 2015.
Bula '71 only horse ever to do Supreme/Champion double in consecutive years. Browne's Gazette ... (ok, stop it now), Hors La Loi and Brave Inca did win both but not in consecutive years. Since '84, only 10 have tried and only the Gazette, Like A Butterfly and Go Native (all unplaced) came to the Champion Hurdle on the back of G1 success. Not happening in 2015.
On Irish Champion Hurdle day 2014 it was noted that the maiden hurdle on the card won by Quickpick Vic was run in a time 6 secs faster than the Champion itself won by the Fly. This was the first year in four that the maiden hurdle was faster.
Last years Champion Hurdle. Good race. Jezki, The New One and Hurricane Fly return. Jezki, better on good ground, beat the Fly convincingly at Punchestown. The Fly has beaten him twice this season in the Morgiana and Punchestown. The New One won the Aintree Hurdle and 4 more lesser contests this season As strong a form race as as 2011 Champion Hurdle. 4 of the last 9 winners finished 3rd in previous year's race The New One 5 didnt
Katchit, Istabraq and Hardy Eustace are the only winners of Festival novice hurdles since 1984 to have returned to Cheltenham and won any hurdle race the following year. Faugheen, Tiger Roll, Hawk High
Last years Neptune Novice Hurdle. Faugheen has taken all in front of him this season and last years Neptune was full of stayers. He did win by 4 1/2 lengths. Only horses behind to win decent hurdles have been Lieutenant Colonel (Hattons Grace, Woodies DIY) and Cole Harden (G2 Wetherby). It is arguable that the Neptune is a better guide than the Supreme to Champion Hurdle contenders. In the last 20 years Hardy Eustace and Istabraq doubled up. Danoli, French Holly, Pedlars Cross and The New One all placed the next year. Rock On Ruby won the 2 mile championship the year after his sh hd defeat in the Neptune.
Best form races Irish Champion (Brave Inca, Hardy Eustace Istabraq and Theatreworld, Hurricane Fly) (Hurricane Fly beat Jezki?) Hard to believe but the Fly did exactly 4 mins 5.1 secs in both the 2012 and 2013 Irish Champion Hurdles. Some clock in Ruby's head. Also he won 2014 race in 3 mins 53, 12 seconds faster and nearly as fast as the first win in 2010. Not bad.
Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton has a reasonable record. Kribensis '90, Alderbrook '95 won both and Punjabi was third in '09 before Cheltenham. Of the last 12 winners of the Kingwell, 10 went onto the Champion Hurdle. Hors la Loi '02 and Katchit both won, 3 others were placed. Mille Chief last home in 2011, Zarkandar 4th 2013, Melodic Rendezvous 7th 2014 winner
Only Kribensis ’90 of the last 23 Kempton Xmas Hurdle winners was able to complete the Champion double. Faugheen Up to the introduction of the WBX Million Bonus in '08 it was true to say that anything involved in the Fighting Fifth/Kempton Hurdles had little chance here. The Fighting Fifth now tends to attract a stronger line up. Irving, Arctic Fire In the past 7 years something placed here featured at Newcastle. 3 winners and 4 placed. My Tent or Yours 2nd last year, Countrywide Flame 3rd 2013.
All bar Rock On Ruby of the last 18 winners seen out since the Saturday before AIG Irish Champion Hurdle (26th January- 44 days). All bar Rock On of the last 20 and 28 from last 32 winners all ran since Jan 1. Rock On Ruby first since Granville Again to come straight from the Christmas Hurdle. Faugheen. Even last year N Henderson brought out My Tent Or Yours to win a February jumpers bumper at Kempton to 'get the freshness off him'. He knows his stats.
18 of last 25 previous course winners. Not Jezki, Rock On Ruby, not Binocular (had been 2nd in Supreme Novice and Ch Hurdle), Punjabi (had been 3rd in '08 Champion), Sublimity (4th in a Supreme Novice), Make A Stand (had been beaten in a h'cap). Both Royal Gait and Alderbrook were novices and had never been here before but were both Group 2 Flat winners. Hurricane Fly also not been here before his first win. Came here on the back of beating Solwhit in 4 successive G1s. Wouldn't get up the hill here, if I recall right.
No Cheltenham Champion Bumper winner has ever been placed in a Champion Hurdle. Not relevant this year.
17 of last 23 were 1st or 2nd at a previous Festival. 10 from last 17 were previous Festival winners. (Fly, Istabraq three times, Hardy Eustace twice, Rooster Booster, Brave Inca, Hors La Loi and Katchit).
25 of last 31 won on most recent start, exceptions being Celtic Shot ’88, 2nd in an Agfa Hurdle, Granville Again ’93, 3rd in a Christmas Hurdle, Hardy Eustace ‘04 2nd in a Red Mills, Punjabi 3rd in a Kingwell, Rock On Ruby 2nd in Xmas Hurdle Jezki last in the 2014 AIG. All the wins were over 2m or 2m1f.
23 from last 26 were favourite or second favourite on last run.
All bar Jezki, Rock On Ruby and Hardy Eustace of the last 18 winners had run at least 18 times (Flat and Jumps combined) and had won at least 6 times (includes Sublimity). Jezki was 14 and 9, Rock On was 10 and 6, Hardy was 15 and 5 in ‘04. Hurricane Fly was 21 and 11 in 2011, Binocular was 18 and 11 in 2010.
16 from last 18 (not Rock On Ruby or Sublimity) had run between 9 and 25 times over hurdles.
14 of last 18 had previously won a Grade I hurdle. Rock On Ruby short head 2nd in a Neptune. Rooster Booster came here from winning the Bula G2, Make A Stand from the G3 Tote Gold Trophy. 15 from the last 18 had won a Grade I or 2 Hurdle that season. Sublimity broke both these stats but was a listed Flat winner.
Since 1984 only 6 winners were unplaced in any completed run that season. (Binocular 5th in a Fighting Fifth). Only Jezki, Punjabi and Binocular of last 14 unplaced in any of previous 2 runs (latter two in Kempton Xmas Hurdle, Punjabi fell when challenging).
HEADGEAR - Blinkered runners in last 12 races - 3 wins (Hardy Eustace, great rides from C O'Dwyer, Jezki never in blinkers but straight to first time hood) and 4 placed from 32. Rock On Ruby won without blinkers but wore them for the first time when second to the Fly in 2013.
Record of previous years winner P11PR2132469324. Jezki
BREEDING - 3 mares have won this in 88 years. Annie Power unlikely
PRICE 18 of last 22 winners found in first five in the market. Not Sublimity, Hardy Eustace ‘04, Punjabi or Binocular. You would expect that.
And must include this from Gault - a decent bloke
This year I am asking for a small donation to the Cancer Research charity. I know of at least 4 friends who are currently fighting the disease in its different forms. Good people. Please take a couple of minutes before delving into Gaultstats and click on my Just Giving Page. I am trying to equal last years figure. Thanks again.
https://www.justgiving.com/Gaultstats2015
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