3:20 Cheltenham (10th March) STAN JAMES CHAMPION HURDLE CHALLENGE TROPHY GRADE 1 (CLASS 1) (4yo+)

The highlight on the first day of the Cheltenham Festival 2015. All eyes will be on this Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race over 2m 110y on good to soft ground. 

The inaugural winner came in 1927 with Blaris trained by Bill Payne, ridden by George Duller in the racing silks of owner Mrs H. Hollins. 

A number of horses have won this race three times including: Hatton's Grace, Sir Ken, Persian War, See You Then & Istabraq. 

The leading jockey with four wins (1951 - 1954) is Tim Molony. 

Leading trainers with five winner apiece are Peter Easterby & Nicky Henderson. 

The owner with most victories, and someone who could be a force this year, J P McManus has five successes with class horses Istabraq, Binocular, Jezki. 

This year's renewal sees eight class geldings including winners 2014 (Jezki), 2011 & 2013 (Hurricane Fly). 

If the market is anything to go by this looks a four-horse race: 

Faugheen is a bay gelding sired by Germany out of Miss Pickering, trained by Willie Mullins for owner Mrs S Ricci. This seven-year-old bay gelding has been a sensation, unbeaten in eight races, after winning a point-to-point over three miles in the hands of  R P Quinlan. He has been favourite for all victories, the majority of time ridden by Ruby Walsh. In the last four races his official rating has risen from 152 - 169. Priced at 11/10f, punters will be hoping this serial winner over course and distance can raise a cheer at this highest grade. 

Nigel Twiston-Davies' The New One may be seven-year-olds but this son of King's Theatre has raced fifteen times over hurdles with eleven victories and never out of the frame. He's been a consistent winner when racing off an official rating of 167. A regular racing at Cheltenham with eight starts with five successes. The New One is no stranger to this contest after finishing third last year behind Jezki with Hurricane Fly fourth. After being badly hampered early in the contest he ran on well in the closing stages. There's little doubt if not suffering that interference he would have gone very close. Priced 4/1 with leading bookmakers.

Another old adversary Hurricane Fly and twice-winner of this Grade 1 hurdle. He won in 2011 & 2013 respectively. This eleven-year-old Irish-bred gelding finished 4th behind Jezki last year which may indicate that age is catching up with this old warrior. Only two horses have won this race at his age of eleven: Hatton's Grace (1951), Sea Pigeon (1981). Willie Mullins' charge has been exceptional over hurdles with twenty-four victories from twenty-nine starts. Only once out of the first three, when fourth in last years contest. Twenty-one of his wins have come at Grade 1 class. From four starts in the Champion Hurdle this star has won twice, a third and fourth. With a highest official rating of 175 it would be fair to say he has never run a poor race. With Ruby Walsh taking the ride on stablemate Faugheen you have to consider connections feel the Hurricane may need to defy the stats, which only the greatest individuals have surpassed. At 10/1 he may sneak a place. 

Jezki has raced at the highest level. This bay gelding won last year's Champion Hurdle 2014 at odds of 9/1. By all accounts his last three starts have been disappointing - suffering multiple losses against Hurricane Fly. This seven-year-old hasn't helped himself when making costly mistakes and connections will be hoping this 5/1 shot jumps for fun on the big day.      

Conclusion: A fascinating Champion Hurdle. With Hurricane Fly and Jezki setting the standard being previous winners this will be a true test. By all accounts there may not be a great deal between Jezki, The New One & Hurricane Fly. Each have their strength and weakness. Jezki has fluffed his lines in the build-up suffering multiple defeats against Hurricane Fly which brings concern. I wonder if Jezki's win was as much to do with others making mistakes. Hurricane Fly was held in last year's renewal. However, this old timer has beaten Mrs John Harrington's charge on his last three starts. The New One will not be far away if he puts in a clear round. The interesting contender is Faugheen. Unbeaten. That word in itself favours many punters. It pays to appreciate Willie Mullins' star will need to shine at this level to win. It's telling Ruby Walsh takes the ride over warhorse Hurricane Fly. 

Verdict:

Faugheen (win bet) 11/10
Hurricane Fly (each-way) 10/1

Cheltenham Festival 2015: Can Hurricane Fly Win The Champion Hurdle For A Third Time?

Hurricane Fly demonstrated there is still plenty of life in the old horse yet when beating Jezki in the Ryanair Hurdle at Leopardstown on Monday.

The big question now is whether the Willie Mullins-trained horse can create history by regaining the Champion Hurdle crown at Cheltenham for a second time.

The son of Montjeu won the Champion Hurdle for the first time back in 2011 and, after finishing third to Rock On Ruby 12 months later, he turned the tables to win the race for a second time in 2013.

Last season saw Hurricane Fly finish fourth to Jezki before being beaten by the same horse at the Punchestown Festival. 

The back-to-back defeats led to concerns that Hurricane Fly’s best days were behind him, but he has returned this season in fine form.

He beat Jezki at Punchestown first time up before extending his unbeaten record at Leopardstown to nine races with his battling success over the same rival on Monday.

It was a record-breaking 21st Grade One triumph for Hurricane Fly, who will be 11 when he heads to Cheltenham Festival 2015 in March where his Christmas Hurdle-winning stablemate Faugheen will be in opposition.

Only two horses have previously won the Champion Hurdle at that age – Hatton’s Grace in 1951 and Sea Pigeon 30 years later.

His odds for the race were not significantly affected by his win in the Ryanair Hurdle and he remains the fourth favourite for the Champion Hurdle at around 12/1.

But Mullins certainly appears confident that Hurricane Fly retains the same zest which has brought 23 wins from 28 hurdle starts.

"It’s getting to the point with him now where I just let him do the talking," said Mullins the day after the Ryanair Hurdle win. "He’s just a fantastic horse with fantastic ability.

"He’s just a horse with huge ability but also with a tremendous amount of guts."

Hurricane Fly displayed his ability and guts to prevail against Jezki at Leopardstown, but there are two bigger dangers looming come the spring at Cheltenham – Faugheen and The New One.

Unbeaten stablemate Faugheen is the ante-post favourite for the Champion Hurdle

Mullins, though, still rates Hurricane Fly as his No.1, saying: "To me, he's our top Champion Hurdle horse - he has the ratings. Faugheen looks the one coming up, but Hurricane Fly's doing it.

"I think he's the best anyone has ever trained over jumps. I'll never have another horse like him. He's unique."

Faugheen has been extremely impressive so far this season and jockey Ruby Walsh will have an envious decision to make over who to ride at Cheltenham.

It is possible that could affect Hurricane Fly’s chances of success given Walsh’s strong affiliation with the horse.

The last time someone other than Walsh was aboard Hurricane Fly was back in January 2011 when Paul Townend was in the saddle to win the Irish Champion Hurdle.

Meanwhile, The New One is the best home hope to win the Champion Hurdle after finishing an unlucky third last season after being hampered early on in the race.

He flew past Hurricane Fly up the hill in 2014 and certainly looks primed to play a major role in this season’s renewal.

Mullins felt Hurricane Fly got tired that day and it has to be a concern that the same thing will happen again now that he is a year older.

Yet the spirit and ability remain intact and, if he is there at the last flight, then it would take some horse to outbattle him.

It would also be a wonderful story if Hurricane Fly can make history at Cheltenham Festival 2015.

3:20 Cheltenham (11th March) STAN JAMES CHAMPION HURDLE CHALLENGE TROPHY GRADE 1

The Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy. This Grade 1 race, run over a distance of 2m 110y, on good to soft going, is open to horses aged four years and older, the youngest to take part this year is five, with old timer Captain Cee Bee, seemingly making up the numbers at the age of thirteen. This is a fantastic race for punters looking for free bets and enhanced offers, so don't miss out, especially if opening a new account with top bookmaker William Hill.  

Notable victories of this race include inaugural winner Blaris (1927), Istabraq (2000) and last triple winner & legendary Dawn Run (1984). Only the second mare to taste victory in this contest, going on to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup (1986). The only horse to complete this notable double. Last year's winner Hurricane Fly, trained by Willie Mullins, was the first horse in 38 years to reclaim the Champion Hurdle after denying old adversary Rock On Ruby, who heads for the Arkle Chase. This bay gelding, a son of Montjeu, shades favouritism. Hurricane Fly is a true talent, winning 21 of his 24 races over hurdles, achieving prize money of over £1.6 m.

Experience tells Hurricane Fly will take all the beating here.  

His main opposition include hot fancy The New One. Nigel Twiston-Davies son of King's Theatre sits at the head of the betting with the Mullin's-trained talent, and may even go off favourite (unlikely). 

He is closely matched with My Tent Or Yours on their recent running at Kempton over 2m when the later blundered at the last, his jockey losing an iron, before a narrow half-length loss. The pair were closely matched in the betting that day there is likely to be very little between them today. 

Jezki is a fine young horse but looks held by Hurricane Fly and My Tent Or Yours. Mrs John Harrington has opted for the hood first time in an effort to garner a fraction more ability.

Our Conor, a five year old gelding, has struggled to contend with Hurricane Fly on their last two meeting, but in truth has done exceptionally well competing against older, stronger talents this season. Few could forget his impressive victory in last year's JCB Triumph Hurdle. Dessie Hughes' runner made a big impact that day and loved every inch of Cheltenham. This son of Jeremy, will have many punters thinking Prestbury Park could bring this horse on a few pounds and pose a serious threat. 

Melodic Rendezvous, Ptit Zig, Captain Cee Bee & Grumeti will need to have lady luck on their side to figure here.

Conclusion: A truly fascinating race. Hurricane Fly is definitely the horse to beat. A winner in this race on two of his three starts affirms that the Willie Mullins team may taste victory today. Ruby Walsh has been very critical of himself suggesting he still hasn't ridden this horse to his best at Cheltenham. If that is true, he must be stiff competition. Walsh will be at pains to get it right this year and something tells me he will. Hurricane Fly is the tip selection, while Our Conor is worth a small each way saver as this course looks made for this youngster. 

Irish Hopes On Hurricane

Ireland will be looking to make a brilliant start to the 2014 Cheltenham Festival by taking the opening championship race of the week with Hurricane Fly in the Champion Hurdle.

Last year’s winner is aiming to score in the 2m contest for a third time as he was also successful at Prestbury Park in 2011.

It has been a record-breaking year for Willie Mullins’ mount as he exceeded the highest number of Grade One victories in a horse’s career when he won the Morgiana Hurdle in November at Punchestown. That was his 18^th victory at the highest level in what was his seasonal reappearance ahead of another shot at the Champion Hurdle near the end of the campaign.

In the Ryanair Hurdle in December, he took on a couple of last season’s top novices in Our Conor and Jezki and was able to hold them both off in a further Grade One win.

His final outing before the trip to Cheltenham came in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown. He made no mistake in the race to record his fourth consecutive victory in the contest.

Hurricane Fly is currently in a battle with The New One as to who will go off as favourite in the Champion Hurdle market when the tape is released on Tuesday.

Nigel Twiston-Davies’ runner has not been seen since finishing second in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day. He was beaten by My Tent or Yours after a mistake at the last flight cost him the race of that occasion as it handed the momentum to his rival in the run in to the line.

The New One was the impressive winner of the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle at the Festival in 2013 and is looking to make it back-to-back wins at the meeting himself against the more experienced horses this year.

2014 Cheltenham Festival - Day One Preview

The United Kingdom may have suffered the wettest winter since records began, but come hell or high water race fans will be ready for the tsunami that is the 2014 Cheltenham Festival.

It's time to bring it on!

From Tuesday 11th - Friday 14th March the National Hunt calendar delivers four days of exceptional horse racing including: Champions Day, Ladies Day, St Patrick's Thursday & Cheltenham Gold Cup Day. The festival sees the best of British and Irish-trained horses competing for glory. Watched by millions worldwide, more than two-hundred thousand people attend this annual pilgrimage.

Tuesday, March 11th, brings the first day of the Cheltenham Festival, held at Prestbury Park, Gloucestershire. A seven-race card kicks off proceedings. With an attendance of over fifty thousand people the atmosphere builds to a crescendo with the ''Cheltenham roar'' which refers to the enormous amount of noise generated by the crowd as the starter raises the tape for the first race of the festival (1:30 Cheltenham's Skybet Supreme Novices' Hurdle).

Take a deep breath. Place your bets. Savour every moment of this racing spectacular - where equine stars are hailed. Listen to the sound of winning hooves, beating faster than your racing heart.

Here is a selection of races featuring the favourites of this year's action and nostalgic glimpse of our greatest racing champions.

3:20 Cheltenham (Tuesday 11th March)

The most important hurdle race of the season: The Champion Hurdle. This Grade 1 race, run over a distance of two and a half miles, has eight hurdles. It is open to horses aged four years and older. Notable triumphs include the inaugural winner Blaris (1927), Istabraq (2000) and last triple winner & legendary Dawn Run (1984). She was only the second mare to taste victory in this contest, going on to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup (1986). The only horse to ever complete this double. Last year's winner Hurricane Fly, trained by Willie Mullins, was the first horse in 38 years to reclaim the Champion Hurdle after denying old adversary Rock On Ruby, who heads for the Arkle Chase. This bay gelding, a son of Montjeu, is presently 3/1 joint favourite in ante post markets. A true talent, this ten year old has won 21 of his 24 races over hurdles and achieved prize money of over £1.6 million. His main opposition include The New One, My Tent Or Yours & Our Conor, a five year old gelding, who was a facile winner of last year's JCB Triumph Hurdle.

2:05 Cheltenham (Tuesday 11th March)

The second race of the opening day of the festival is the Arkle Challenge Trophy. This Grade 1 Nation Hunt Steeplechase is open to horses aged five years and older. Covering a distance of 2 miles, twelve fences are jumped on the Old Course. This race is for novice chasers and a test of both speed and jumping. Bright Penny prevailed in the first running of this race in 1946, ridden by Glen Kelly and trained by Bobby Norris. Historic winner Alverton (1978) went on to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Last year's race was won by the Nicky Henderson-trained Simonsig, who is out for the season, recuperating, after developing a splint on his near-fore. Willie Mullins trains the 7/2 ante post favourite, Champagne Fever, who won the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham. This grey gelding needs to come back from an odds-on defeat when only third at Leopardstown in December. The main contenders include Dodging Bullets (6/1) who is trained by Paul Nicholls, and bred by Frankie Dettori, Trifolium (6/1), Rock On Ruby (7/1) who won last year's Champion Hurdle for Harry Fry, while Alan King's Valdez (9/1) is another among a large field of entrants.

4:00 Cheltenham (Tuesday 11th March)

The Cheltenham OLBG Mares Hurdle is a fascinating event. This Grade 2 National Hunt hurdle race is open to mares aged four years and older. Nine hurdles are jumped over two and half miles on this left-handed course. This race was established in 2008 and the winner's trophy for this event is named in the memory of David Nicholson (1939 - 2006), a talented jockey & trainer. Since the inaugural winner, Whiteoak, this race has been dominated by super mare Quevega. Ruby Walsh has ridden her to success. In fact, this daughter of Robin Des Champs has won the last five contests. The Willie Mullins-trained ten year old is unbeaten in her last eight starts and price 4/5f in ante post markets. Her trainer has a strong hand in this race with 9/2 second favourite Annie Power to test her mettle. This six year old is unbeaten in all of her ten starts, of which seven were over hurdles. The main opposition include: Cockney Sparrow (8/1), Sirene D'ainey (10/1) & Glen's Melody (14/1) from what could be a large field. In previous years this race has fielded up to 21 runners.

Feature Races Of The Cheltenham Festival 2014

Tuesday 11th March - 3:20 Cheltenham - Stan James Champion Hurdle

Wednesday 12th March - 3:20 Cheltenham - Queen Mother Champion Chase

Thursday 13th March - 3:20 Cheltenham - Cheltenham Ladbrokes World Hurdle

Friday 14th March - 3:20 Cheltenham - Betfred Chelentenham Gold Cup

Our Cheltenham Resources

Race cards: Channel4 Race Card

Cheltenham Betting & Odds: Bookmakers

Racing Weather: Met Office (Cheltenham Racecourse)

3:20 Cheltenham (Tuesday,12th March) Free Horse Racing Tips

3.20 – Stan James Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy

Hurricane Fly is not much value at around 2/1. He beat Binocular and Thousand Stars on heavy ground last time. Binocular doesn't go on that ground and was never ridden to get into the race. Thousand Stars is a 2 and a half miler and has only won once in a Grade 1 in 15 attempts. Prior to that, Hurricane Fly beat Unaccompanied and Thousand Stars again. I think people have forgotten that back in November Go Native looked to have Hurricane Fly beat before falling at the last. I think everything will have to go right for him to win and he's up against some serious challengers in Rock On Ruby, Zarkandar and Grandouet. I've backed Rock On Ruby already at 10/1 before he ran this season. At his current price I won't be topping up but his first run this season in the International was in heavy ground conceding weight and can be excused. Next up he looked as if he would be beaten by Darlan but we'll never know. I think his price is about right and he'll run a good race. I was a bit disappointed by Grandouet in the International; the race was run to suit and it looked like he would pick up and win. Maybe the ground beat him that day, his sires progeny certainly have a better record on better ground. Zarkandar is my idea of the most likely winner. The way he battled in the International was exactly what you want in a race like this. My only reservation is his jumping is sometimes a little sloppy. The value on Binocular has all gone now and soft ground won't help his cause but you can forget his last run in the heavy and look at last years Champion Hurdle. He wasn't far away and looks closely matched to Hurricane Fly at a much bigger price. Out of the others; Countrywide Flame doesn't look quite good enough but I can see a possibility of him reversing the form with Rock On Ruby on softer ground and has an each-way chance. Cinders and Ashes is the potential dark horse in this - this seasons runs have been too bad to be true - is this due to the heavy ground or has he regressed? I'd have to side with the latter.

Zarkandar - 2 pts win - 7/2 4th

Great battling display and just out-battled at the finish

I would like to thank Sean Kelsey for his superb analysis, the author of this post. 

Cheltenham Festival Champion Hurdle Preview

The most prestigious hurdling event in the British National Hunt calendar, the Champion Hurdle, is the traditional highlight on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival. This year’s renewal, due off at 3.20 p.m. on Tuesday, March 12, 2013, looks as competitive as ever, with the last three winners, Rock On Ruby, Hurricane Fly and Binocular, once again in opposition. 

Willie Mullins’ 9-year-old Hurricane Fly (7/4) heads the betting on the strength of four Grade 1 wins out of four since finishing 5½ lengths third to Rock On Ruby in last year’s Champion Hurdle. He’s started at long odds-on and faced a total of just 17 opponents in those four races, but Mr. Mullins was delighted by his 5-length win in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown in January. He said afterwards, “He is fine and has come out of his race very well and is back in the form he was in two years ago [when he won the Champion Hurdle].”  

Paul Nicholls’ 6-year-old Zarkandar (5/1) won the Triumph Hurdle in 2011 and finished fifth, beaten 6¾ lengths, in the Champion Hurdle last year. He subsequently fell in the Aintree Hurdle, but has been in decent form this season, completing a hat-trick of Grade 2 wins in the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton, the International Hurdle at Cheltenham and the Kingwell Hurdle, again at Wincanton. Strictly on the form book, he has something to find with Rock On Ruby, Hurricane Fly and Binocular but, unlike Rocky On Ruby and Binocular, he’s won on heavy going, so may have an advantage if the Champion Hurdle is run in testing conditions.

Harry Fry’s 8-year-old Rock On Ruby (6/1) has done little wrong since winning last year’s Champion Hurdle. He subsequently finished third, beaten 5¼ lengths, behind Oscar Whisky (ante post favourite for this year’s World Hurdle) in the Aintree Hurdle, over 2 miles 4 furlongs, but has run two perfectly adequate preparation races this season. He finished third, beaten 8 lengths, behind Zarkandar, to whom he was conceding 4lb, in the International Hurdle and showed the benefit of that run when comfortably beating Countrywide Flame by 3 lengths in the 32Red Hurdle at Doncaster in early February. That race was marred by a fatal injury to Darlan, but Harry Fry is reportedly delighted with the way Rock On Ruby has come out of the race. He said, “…we’re very confident and if it continues to dry we’ll be growing more confident by the day.”

Although he clearly has something to find with Rock On Ruby, if the Doncaster form is taken at face value, the North Yorkshire trainer has been equally bullish about the chances of his 5-year-old Countrywide Flame (16/1) in recent weeks. Prior to the 32Red Hurdle, Mr. Quinn said, “I think he’ll run a good race on Monday, but it’s not Cheltenham and that’s what we’re really looking forward to. We know he loves Cheltenham, he showed that in the Triumph Hurdle last year and as I was saying to someone the other day, if he hadn’t kicked the last hurdle out of the ground he’d have won the Triumph Hurdle by six lengths.”