Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (Grade 1) 2m87y.

Posted by Paul Moon in Blog | Leave a comment
13February2021

The winner of the Champion Hurdle Grade 1 over 2m is normally one of the fancied runners with an OR between 162 to 165. To win this race in particular you need to travel, jump and then show resolve/stamina at the business end and though that may seem obvious to all races especially this one, so no room for flaky types.

2021 CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL (Home Page)

3.05: (Old) Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (Grade 1) 2m87y.

24/24: Ran since Christmas (100%)
22/22: Won at 2m-2m1f (100%)
17/17: Top 4 on both previous starts when completing (100%)
13/13: Won that season (100%)
11/11: Rated 157+

16/17: Top 3 on previous start (2014 was 4th) (94%)
15/16: Ran since Christmas finishing top 3 (94%)
12/13: Placed on their last run before Cheltenham (92%)
12/13: At least 2 runs that season (92%)
11/12: At least 4 wins over hurdles (92%)
20/22: Won Grade 1 hurdle or Grade 3 H'cap Hurdle (91%)

25/28: Top 6 in the betting (89%)
12/14: Geldings (86%)
12/14: Won last time out (86%)
11/13: At least 7 runs over 15-17 furlongs (85%)
11/13: At least 5 wins over 15-17 furlongs (85%)
32/38: Won last time out (84%)
16/19: Raced in previous 7 weeks (84%)
10/12: Rated 162 or higher (83%)
18/22: Placed at previous Cheltenham Festival (82%)
18/23: Aged 6-8yo (78%)
17/22: Returned 11/1 or under (77%)
..3/38: Aged 5yo (8%)
..4/73: Aged over 8yo (5%)

Recent winners

2020: EPATANTE (2/1f)
2019:  ESPOIR D’ALLEN (16/1)
2018: BUVEUR D’AIR (4/6f)
2017: BUVEUR D’AIR (5/1)
2016: ANNIE POWER (5/2f)
2015: FAUGHEEN (4/5f)
2014: JEZKI (9/1)
2013: HURRICANE FLY (13/8f)
2012: ROCK ON RUBY (11/1)
2011: HURRICANE FLY (11/4f)
2010: BINOCULAR (9/1)
2009: PUNJABI (22/1)
2008: KATCHIT (10/1)
2007: SUBLIMITY (16/1)
2006: BRAVE INCA (7/4f)
2005: HARDY EUSTACE (7/2jf)
2004: HARDY EUSTACE (33/1)
2003: ROOSTER BOOSTER (9/2)

  • Willie Mullins has won 4 of the last 10
  • Nicky Henderson has won 5 of the last 12
  • Last 6 winners were unbeaten that season
  • Last 8 out of 10 were unbeaten that season
  • Last 10yo or over to win was Sea Pigeon in 1980 & 1981 
  • Winning favourites in non-handicap hurdles 44-113 for 39%

Recurrence Factor

Our figures are strong for this race with the top 5 trends showing a reoccurrence factor of 87/87 for 100%, whilst the top 11 show 173/180 for 96.11%.
  Today's Pacafi: click here

The Racing Horse Verdict

Honeysuckle or Epatante - this has been a tough decision? Honeysuckle surged clear on the run to the second-last before taking the Irish Champion Hurdle by 10 lengths and was the most impressive winner of the day at the Dublin Racing Festival. The 7yo mare is now 10-10 over hurdles and importantly proved she is very versatile. She can quicken off a fast pace, quicken off a slow pace, stays very well and is uncomplicated. Most horses need things to go their way but she has a formidable opponent in Epantante.

1: HONEYSUCKLE 5/2 (WINNER)
2: Epatante 4/1 (3rd)
3: Abacadabras 10/1 (fell)

With the valuable mares' 7lbs allowance we cannot see Goshen beating either of the girls but certainly not both of them. Because of the price we have nominated Abacadabras to finish third.

Honeysuckle was deadly, that is what we hoped she would do. You would have to feel we would be leaning towards the Champion Hurdle after that, I would feel that performance was right up there with her best - Henry De Bromhead 6 February 2021
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