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Champion Hurdle 2018

Only two ever won it, Hatton's Grace and Sea Pigeon. No one won it after a 2 year break. Faugheen broke the mold several times by being the only P2P winner to win it, being a grade winner over 3 miles before winning it(not sure if any other champion had this strange route), not having a prep-run before winning it(only 1-2 others managed to do it, ROR was one of them but even he had a race gallop at Haydock I believe).. unfortunately the issue now is the age which is too big of a factor and coming after a series of injuries, its a big question if he'll ever run in it let alone winning it.

Totally concur - and he's 2nd Fav! Joint 2nd/3rd Fav DDS will be 5 and we all know their record in the CH. 4th Fav Yorkhill is a poor sub for Faugheen all followed by Min, Apples Jade, Douvan, Labaik et al.
BD'Air on that basis should be more like 2/1 and Melon looks a great e/way shout at 25/1
 
Forget the e/way on Melon - have a bit more on BD'Air!
 
Totally concur - and he's 2nd Fav! Joint 2nd/3rd Fav DDS will be 5 and we all know their record in the CH. 4th Fav Yorkhill is a poor sub for Faugheen all followed by Min, Apples Jade, Douvan, Labaik et al.
BD'Air on that basis should be more like 2/1 and Melon looks a great e/way shout at 25/1

I've been the biggest preacher of 5yo trends in this race for years, but I've been swaying towards consideration that it's less the 5yo issue and more the Triumph hurdle factor.
The New course being a much bigger test of stamina stretched a 4yo stamina to the limits, therefore switching back to the speedier Old course a year later is a tough ask, and sadly we see very few 4yo in the Supreme, also run on the Old course (despite the weight for age allowance), so this theory can't be fully tested.
But all that said, I thought very early last year that DDS could be a very special horse and still believe that, I think the odds are stacked against him but if he was to succeed it would be some feat.
Worth remembering also that throughout last year connections thought Charlie Parcs would be their leading Triumph horse, I think it was trials day and they were both declared, all the money was for CP until he was pulled half an hour from the race.
 
I've been the biggest preacher of 5yo trends in this race for years, but I've been swaying towards consideration that it's less the 5yo issue and more the Triumph hurdle factor.
The New course being a much bigger test of stamina stretched a 4yo stamina to the limits, therefore switching back to the speedier Old course a year later is a tough ask, and sadly we see very few 4yo in the Supreme, also run on the Old course (despite the weight for age allowance), so this theory can't be fully tested.
But all that said, I thought very early last year that DDS could be a very special horse and still believe that, I think the odds are stacked against him but if he was to succeed it would be some feat.
Worth remembering also that throughout last year connections thought Charlie Parcs would be their leading Triumph horse, I think it was trials day and they were both declared, all the money was for CP until he was pulled half an hour from the race.

That last part isn't lost on me and the faith Hendo still has is certainly worth a double take. I've said before and will say again ... 7 rub for DDS last session means for me, he cannot improve as much as would usually be expected. I think he was very forward for his age, and bold as it may be ... I think Charli Parcs could end up being a better horse
 
The point I was attempting to make (but did't get round to making) was that CP was the leading Triumph horse right up to Chelt week and his participation was in doubt right to the day, but he may turn out to be a speedier horse than DDS and therefore be a better Champion Hurdle proposition.
The key for me was the way CP ran his Triumph, he quickened well after 2 out was bang there at the bottom of the hill, but when stamina came into play DDS had bundles in hand, CP showed good speed and the Old Course may well play to his strengths more than DDS....
 
I've been the biggest preacher of 5yo trends in this race for years, but I've been swaying towards consideration that it's less the 5yo issue and more the Triumph hurdle factor.
The New course being a much bigger test of stamina stretched a 4yo stamina to the limits, therefore switching back to the speedier Old course a year later is a tough ask, and sadly we see very few 4yo in the Supreme, also run on the Old course (despite the weight for age allowance), so this theory can't be fully tested.

I think you could very well be onto something with this theory Ista, makes plenty of sense
 
CP one for the Greatwood? Would have a hell of a chance off that rating if he's as good as Hendo thinks he is.
 
CP one for the Greatwood? Would have a hell of a chance off that rating if he's as good as Hendo thinks he is.

I'll bump the "cliff horse" thread shall I?
 
I to have had me first play in this race. I watched Melon race last year in supreme managed to get 20/1 ew.
 
Ive long had the opinion McManus have three two milers to go to war with this season in champion - B'Air , Defi and Charli .

I cant have it that all three will run in champion , logic tells you one must go Arkle.

Point my learned friend Istabraq makes about the two courses is well worth considering . Im pretty confident Defi will support B'Air in champion and Charli will go Arkle.

If he takes to fences Charli's flat speed will do for me over current sub standard Arkle , certainly no star horse apart from Finians Oscar potentially. His future target will be alot clearer after Saturday.

Its going to have to be a pretty smart hurdler to wrestle the Champion hurdle off McManus , and only a certain Willie Mullins looks like having the amo at this stage.
 
Ive long had the opinion McManus have three two milers to go to war with this season in champion - B'Air , Defi and Charli .

I cant have it that all three will run in champion , logic tells you one must go Arkle.

Point my learned friend Istabraq makes about the two courses is well worth considering . Im pretty confident Defi will support B'Air in champion and Charli will go Arkle.

If he takes to fences Charli's flat speed will do for me over current sub standard Arkle , certainly no star horse apart from Finians Oscar potentially. His future target will be alot clearer after Saturday.

Its going to have to be a pretty smart hurdler to wrestle the Champion hurdle off McManus , and only a certain Willie Mullins looks like having the amo at this stage.

Charlie Parcs definitely stays over hurdles
Jp has movewiththetimes as an arkle hopeful
 
Only an act of god stops buveur dair / faugheen winning this anyway.
 
So you reckon McManus runs these three plus probably My Tent Or Yours , cant see it in all honesty Scooby.

MWTT is interesting i give you that.
 
Ive taken a chance on another JP runner for this in Campeador, I accept that he has an awful lot to find but he really could be anything and ive taken 100/1 on the exchanges, if I see he has an entry for a hurdle ill take some of the 50/1 ew with PP.
 
Ive taken a chance on another JP runner for this in Campeador, I accept that he has an awful lot to find but he really could be anything and ive taken 100/1 on the exchanges, if I see he has an entry for a hurdle ill take some of the 50/1 ew with PP.

I've been trying to get small amounts matched on the exchanges for Campeador too Billy. Someone keeps undercutting me, it's probably you :highly_amused:
 
So you reckon McManus runs these three plus probably My Tent Or Yours , cant see it in all honesty Scooby.

MWTT is interesting i give you that.
No I don't as Charli Parcs nowhere near the standard, atleast 1 will go county and it won't be mtoy or buveur dair
 
Charlie Parcs French form wasn't anything special the 2nd has done nothing for pipe. He came into the juveniles over here with experience, he diddnt progress, the others quickly caught up.
That's my honest opinion of his form.
 
Ha ha I might be guilty as charged!!!

I could have taken 100/1 last week but got greedy. I was hoping to drip feed £20 on him at big prices but there is now more than just me and you trying to get the odd fiver matched haha