2017 Champion Hurdle

In a race where there appears to be little between the principal contenders, tactics are going to prove crucial: the Old Course is quite sharp and the straight short, so anything caught wide around the last bend is going to have to be a machine to win.

In the hope that he doesn’t race as wide as he did last year, Yanworth remains my selection. I’ve stuck Brain Power in the Cheltenham competition as he looks the main threat and obviously longer odds are more beneficial as far as scoring goes; a victory for Buveur d’Air wouldn’t exactly come as a surprise, while Petit Mouchoir’s front-running style is clearly advantageous around this track so he can’t be omitted from calculations.

stevecaution wrote:

It’s funny how so many see it differently.

I had to find myself disagreeing with the At The Races Verdict writer, who said that Buveur D’air’s last 4 wins prove he is much improved. He won at Aintree by a neck from Petit Mouchoir, who came into the race rated 7 lbs inferior, at odds of 40/1. Buveur D’air then won two Novice Chases at odds-on, unconvincingly enough to warrant a switch back to Hurdles where he beat palm trees at odds of 1/4F.

I see nothing there that guarantees improvement. Buveur D’air went down 1 lb for the Aintree run but has somehow risen 6 lbs, presumably based on his last run, where he faced Irving as the deemed biggest threat as 2nd Fav. Irving was rated 160 going into that race but it was no secret that he was highly unlikely to run anywhere near that mark. Irving has already been dropped to 155 and based on his latest effort you could probably lop another stone off that mark comfortably. Few horses can have run as dismally, as many times, as Irving and he’s not reliable as a yardstick to my mind.

Buveur D’air may indeed improve but it worries me that this race was not the plan at the start of the season and his form this season looks as flimsy as a Chinese Lantern.

I don’t think anyone is judging Buveur D’Air by Irving.

BVA’s hurdle form is on the up. From what’s happened since it’s almost certain Petit Mouchoir improved considerably in that Liverpool race (judging PM by the starting price is not the way I’d go). Beating him was an excellent performance; even if the third Limini was below form had 9 lengths back to North Hill Harvey who next time out won the Greatwood off 141. That Liverpool form much better than his Cheltenham third (poorly placed and finishing well).

BDA then went chasing and won both chases (progressing from first to second chase start).
This season’s hurdle run: “Form” by distance back to – and ability of – the second… may not be top class; but have to take notice of the fact he won with any amount in hand. Could’ve won by much further had the jockey wanted.

imo Everything about BVD’s form suggests has not reached his peak yet.

Gingertipster wrote:

stevecaution wrote:

It’s funny how so many see it differently.

I had to find myself disagreeing with the At The Races Verdict writer, who said that Buveur D’air’s last 4 wins prove he is much improved. He won at Aintree by a neck from Petit Mouchoir, who came into the race rated 7 lbs inferior, at odds of 40/1. Buveur D’air then won two Novice Chases at odds-on, unconvincingly enough to warrant a switch back to Hurdles where he beat palm trees at odds of 1/4F.

I see nothing there that guarantees improvement. Buveur D’air went down 1 lb for the Aintree run but has somehow risen 6 lbs, presumably based on his last run, where he faced Irving as the deemed biggest threat as 2nd Fav. Irving was rated 160 going into that race but it was no secret that he was highly unlikely to run anywhere near that mark. Irving has already been dropped to 155 and based on his latest effort you could probably lop another stone off that mark comfortably. Few horses can have run as dismally, as many times, as Irving and he’s not reliable as a yardstick to my mind.

Buveur D’air may indeed improve but it worries me that this race was not the plan at the start of the season and his form this season looks as flimsy as a Chinese Lantern.

I don’t think anyone is judging Buveur D’Air by Irving.

BVA’s hurdle form is on the up. From what’s happened since it’s almost certain Petit Mouchoir improved considerably in that Liverpool race (judging PM by the starting price is not the way I’d go). Beating him was an excellent performance; even if the third Limini was below form had 9 lengths back to North Hill Harvey who next time out won the Greatwood off 141. That Liverpool form much better than his Cheltenham third (poorly placed and finishing well).

BDA then went chasing and won both chases (progressing from first to second chase start).
This season’s hurdle run: “Form” by distance back to – and ability of – the second… may not be top class; but have to take notice of the fact he won with any amount in hand. Could’ve won by much further had the jockey wanted.

imo Everything about BVD’s form suggests has not reached his peak yet.

What horse are we talking about here Ginge? It’s gone from BVA, to BDA and then BVD?

The odds are terrible value here. 9/1 The New One, come on.

Yanworth absolutely hopeless.

I should have known he wasn’t good enough, I even posted on here how he’d been lethargic and unimpressive in his wins.

Oh well.

Well done winners and see you back here in 2018.

Well Buveur D’air was indeed much improved. I had my doubts on this ground but he rattled home.

Brain Power travelled well but he simply fell apart at the finish, a very disappointing effort.

Yanworth was a silly price, he’s never looked fast enough for me.

Moon Racer didn’t look that good to me in the paddock, he had a brief go but whatever the owner was thinking, he’s likely fxxked the horse up right there in some vainglorious project.

Hands up on Buveur D’air, I thought he was grim value at 3/1 earlier on but well done to those who kept the faith. I did him in last year’s Supreme Novices but just didn’t think he could win this.

It’s casual coffee and an early bed for me. I had hoped for Jack and Jim, but got Jack and Danny instead The party’s on hold for another day

ps My brother in law is the kiss of death and he showed me his ticket this morning, which read Brain Power £2 win. I immediately reached for the Paracetamol. (Two Boxes LOL)

The Ante-Post King wrote:

Well done ‘Zarkava’…Buvair d’air did you proud.

So did Petit Mouchoir for you Gord.
You must have won a bit each way.
Your old pal My Tent Or Yours ran a great race again too.

Gingertipster wrote:

The Ante-Post King wrote:

Well done ‘Zarkava’…Buvair d’air did you proud.

So did Petit Mouchoir for you Gord.
You must have won a bit each way.
Your old pal My Tent Or Yours ran a great race again too.

Place money not the same as winning Ginge sadly..I just wish ‘Buvair’ had stayed over fences..Cheers.