The 2014 Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival is shaping to be one of the best renewals of the race in horse racing history.
Last year’s winner Hurricane Fly can be backed at 13/2 at the moment, which shows just how competitive this race will be. Willie Mullins’ class act won his 17th Grade 1 at Punchestown in November, setting a world record for top level wins.
The 9-year-old beat Rock On Ruby in last year’s Champion Hurdle to win the prestigious contest for a second time and Sam Twiston-Davies believes he firmly remains the one to beat.
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Twiston-Davies told At The Races: “”Hurricane Fly (is the one to fear). He has done everything that can be achieved by a top-class hurdler. With what he has done, he’s going to be very, very hard to beat.
“We have age on our side and at the same time I wouldn’t swap my fellow for any of them.
“I wouldn’t be worried about My Tent Or Yours. Obviously he’s a very classy horse but I think we’ve all got Hurricane Fly to beat.”
Nigel Twiston-Davies’ The New One is the current favourite at 7/2 following another impressive win over Zarkander in the International Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Nigel’s son Sam was aboard the 5-year-old who eased to the lead one out. He blundered the last and was then joined by his rival, before turbo kicked in and the 2-5 favourite kicked clear easily by six lengths.
His main rival as far as betting is concerned is the Henderson trained My Tent Or Yours who improved massively last season before destroying some decent rivals in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle last month.
A P McCoy was aboard the 6-year-old for the eighth time and recorded the sixth win for the pair.
“It was a good return but to be honest I would have been disappointed if he couldn’t have won like that if he’s going to be a Champion Hurdle horse,” the champion jockey told Racing Post.
Other contenders that could be in with a serious chance are Jezki, who has won nine of 11 career races including his most recent victory in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Punchestown.
McCoy has ridden the 5-year old to his recent two victories; however Barry Geraghty is likely to return to the saddle with McCoy sure to ride My Tent or Yours.
Triumph Hurdle winner Our Conor is a very exciting prospect who deserves a great deal of respect, whilst Annie Power remains unbeaten and is sure to improve again for the big race.
Former champion, Rock On Ruby was easily beaten by The New One at Kempton in October and the field looks far too strong for him now.
