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Champion Hurdle 2020

Somewhat biased in my opinion (is that IMHO? - still trying to learn all the correct abbreviations so please bare with me) - about Buveur D'Air but as has been alluded to for a number of years this division lacks real depth of class and although he's going to be 9 next year surely he is the stand out bet for this so long as he stands up. And as I am sure it will be pointed out that 5/1 AP is a crap bet I have only included him in multiples (at 6/1) alongside Champagne Classic and Battleoverdoyen. Who mentioned Horlicks and Werthers Originals? LOL
As ever I look forward to and will no doubt enjoy reading your thoughts
 
Hello all. First time poster but long time observer.

I feel that at present the horse who has come out the best for the CH following early season runs has not yet run himself and that is Buveur D’Air. He is looking a better bet as nothing has really shone. I wasn’t overly impressed by Fusil Raffles who was my strong fancy at the start of the season but can’t bring myself to cash out. I was pleased with Saldier winning as have him at 20/1 in a lucky 15 I really like the look of but see Buveur as better value now.
 
Think you've all got to let this B Dair thing go. He has been a decent champion hurdler but he won't be winning another one. You must move on.
 
Lobos said:
Think you've all got to let this B Dair thing go. He has been a decent champion hurdler but he won't be winning another one. You must move on.
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After today, do we have an obvious alternative ?
 
It’s November......the champion hurdle is run in March!!! Nobody is going to be peaking in November except for handicap plots in their personal gold cups. Let’s see how the season progresses before you all get overly excited on the back of 1 run or no runs in BD’s case
 
Istabraq said:
After today, do we have an obvious alternative ?
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For me Saldier wins. Fusils will step forward from his last run and be a threat, Sharjah could be more competitive on better ground and Coeur Sublime could he the surprise package. I'm not looking beyond those 4.
 
Wondering aloud here but has cash out "culture" for want of a better word has made us too reactionary. Would've preferred KD to win today, but all I see is people cashing him out en masse - maybe he won't win but not entirely sure today will decide it
 
Lobos said:
For me Saldier wins. Fusils will step forward from his last run and be a threat, Sharjah could be more competitive on better ground and Coeur Sublime could he the surprise package. I'm not looking beyond those 4.
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Did you just put Coeur Sublime ahead of Buveur D’Air? Think BVD will be slowly backed now. You wouldn’t be too deflated as a KD backer off the back of yesterday but you wouldn’t be thrilled either. Long season, willies all peak later on and it wouldn’t surprise me one bit if the placings were reversed were they to run the race again in a month. Hope Saldier is the real deal as I have big prices
 
robith said:
Wondering aloud here but has cash out "culture" for want of a better word has made us too reactionary. Would've preferred KD to win today, but all I see is people cashing him out en masse - maybe he won't win but not entirely sure today will decide it
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There is definitely more of a culture of sweeping statements about March being made in November than before
 
charlie said:
Think BVD will be slowly backed now. You wouldn’t be too deflated as a KD backer off the back of yesterday but you wouldn’t be thrilled either. Long season, willies all peak later on and it wouldn’t surprise me one bit if the placings were reversed were they to run the race again in a month. Hope Saldier is the real deal as I have big prices
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Same as that for me Charlie , Yes it was a disappointing run by K.D , but a long way to go yet.
I hope that B.D does come out firing ,.
then we can all look forward to a great champion hurdle in march.
 
It appears they probably went steady enough yesterday, looking at the time and mullins comments.
I don't think KD backers should panic just yet.
He's still a second season novice and just like the chasers ten to do, they will improve over the season and be better in march.
seen it many times before.
Jezki is one of the better examples, consistently put in his place by the Fly, then they went a mad pace in the champion and the supreme form worked out really well.
But Saldier emerges with credit for sure. As he's effectively as inexperienced, but we don't know for sure how he'll handle real championship pace.
Petit Mouchoir wasn't that far behind BD at punchestown either. BD is a solid bet, but had his issues last season too.
Not sure he has much competition over here though, it would be nice for willie to send one over.
 
I believe that the Irish generally arrive in Cheltenham in March battle-hardened through more robust competition than the home team have had.

This has formed a hierarchy of Grade 1 Irish contenders for races in a way that I dont think british racing does, as it seems easier for British novices to avoid regular top level competition and they generally take that easier option.

The Dublin Festival has further strengthened the Irish top-level workouts as a final Festival decision-making exercise.

Those irish horses that are just short of top graded class then move into contention for Festival handicaps and have fared very well at that discipline too.

It's a far more slick selection process in Ireland, and usually gives us far more pre-Festival clues than british racing does.
 
Correct Fox.
And it makes it far easier for us lot.
I've got mates that bet at cheltenham that still rarely watch irish racing (and wonder why they lose)
 
Lobos said:
For me Saldier wins. Fusils will step forward from his last run and be a threat, Sharjah could be more competitive on better ground and Coeur Sublime could he the surprise package. I'm not looking beyond those 4.
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I hope you’re right I have the first 3 of those at tasty prices so will settle for that! Last year Fusil Raffles impressed me more than Pentland Hills prior to Cheltenham so took the bigger prices post festival on him. Be interesting to see how Pentland Hills stacks up going forward.
 
Lobos said:
Think you've all got to let this B Dair thing go. He has been a decent champion hurdler but he won't be winning another one. You must move on.
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I disagree, the way BD came back after fall last season was special. Yes he is getting older but still got real class. Not saying he will win, but definitely not one to say can’t, and write off.

Regarding Saldier, yes won nicely today and got a chance, but to say he wins it is maybe a reaction to race being fresh in memory?
 
I’m pretty heavy on KD, won’t be panicking in November although if Pauly Townsend jumps ship I’ll be clenching
 
Looking at the top of the market it looks like being a really poor Champion Hurdle after being spoilt last year (albeit the fancied 3 horses all flopped!)
 
Star quality

Klassical Dream
5g Dream Well - Klassical Way
Mrs Joanne Coleman
4P/111-3
RPR 160h OR 160h
He lost his unbeaten record for us on Saturday when third in the Morgiana Hurdle. He was quite keen before the race and after launching himself at the first hurdle. I'd expect him to improve for the run and he'll appreciate strongly run races. He did very well last season, winning Grade 1s at Leopardstown, the Supreme Novices' at Cheltenham and the Herald Champion Novice at Punchestown. We decided to go the Champion Hurdle with him rather than go chasing and hopefully he’ll go there in March with strong claims. The Champion Hurdle looks quite open at this stage. I'd imagine the Grade 1 at Leopardstown on December 29 might be next for him.
 
Saldier
5g Soldier Hollow - Salve Evita
Mrs S Ricci
1531/F-1
RPR 160h OR 156h
We were delighted with his Morgiana Hurdle win on Saturday which confirmed that he is a genuine Grade 1 horse. He won a Grade 1 as a juvenile and what told us there would be more to come was his performance at Naas a year ago when he fell at the last when battling it out with subsequent Champion Hurdle winner Espoir D'Allen at the last. He shattered his nose in the fall and the decision to allow nature do the healing rather than having surgery has paid off. I'm not sure about plans but there a number of races to consider.
 
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