Champion Hurdle 2020

[Geordieboy83]

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.

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?

[TheEagleHasLanded]

I’m pretty heavy on KD, won’t be panicking in November although if Pauly Townsend jumps ship I’ll be clenching

[FaugheenTheMachine]

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!)

[JackieMoon33]

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.

[JackieMoon33]

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.

[JackieMoon33]

Sharjah
6g Doctor Dino - Saaryeh
Mrs S Ricci
1311B-4
RPR 168h OR 163h
He had a busy time of it last season and did very well, winning the Galway Hurdle and a couple of Grade 1s – the Morgiana at Punchestown and the Ryanair at Leopardstown's Christmas meeting. I was a bit disappointed with him in the Morgiana on Saturday when he was having his first start since being brought down at the third in the Champion Hurdle. But it's early days and hopefully we'll see the real Sharjah as the season goes on. We'll find a target for him over Christmas.

[FaugheenTheMachine]

Just thinking aloud; could Gordy “Roll the big dice” and come here with Envoi Allen?

[Scooby91]

Just thinking aloud; could Gordy “Roll the big dice” and come here with Envoi Allen?

Jesus. Hes ran in 1 novice hurdle.

[opatcho]

Wow. Agree with the proximity of Petit Mouchoir being a question mark there.

... and that really puts me off these lot

I think we're heading into a repeat of 2016, where the likes of BVD are starting to aged a little and become more vulnerable whilst we are lacking a superstar from the supreme and neptune

Could this be a renewal where a mare takes this, or something from our field - i.e. a "Labaik" for instance

I backed Honeysuckle at 50's a few months back as I really like her, but she's likely to be short of class for this and will go in the mares.
Just wondering whether any of Mullin's mares will come here. Benie looks like she wants 3 now... but not too dis-similar to Annie Power!
I like Stormy Island, but once again, she'll be best in the mares.

Could Benie be the one here?
With Salderand Sharjah, its hard to see Ricci running Benie here, whilst Mullins will also have KD...

I really see this being a odd year, with many being backed into single figures now being beaten by something. But what?! No idea! lol

[Scooby91]

... and that really puts me off these lot

I think we're heading into a repeat of 2016, where the likes of BVD are starting to aged a little and become more vulnerable whilst we are lacking a superstar from the supreme and neptune

Could this be a renewal where a mare takes this, or something from our field - i.e. a "Labaik" for instance

I backed Honeysuckle at 50's a few months back as I really like her, but she's likely to be short of class for this and will go in the mares.
Just wondering whether any of Mullin's mares will come here. Benie looks like she wants 3 now... but not too dis-similar to Annie Power!
I like Stormy Island, but once again, she'll be best in the mares.

Could Benie be the one here?
With Salderand Sharjah, its hard to see Ricci running Benie here, whilst Mullins will also have KD...

I really see this being a odd year, with many being backed into single figures now being beaten by something. But what?! No idea! lol

Petit mouchoir went a pace to suit himself, he stayed on again at the end. Where at a real champion hurdle gallop you'd expect him to drop out of it and weaken.

Saldier did well, sharjah and KD will be much more at home of an end to end gallop. Theres nothing to say that saldier wouldnt be either, but would just put more pressure on his jumping at the business end. They will all improve for the run,

[opatcho]

Petit mouchoir went a pace to suit himself, he stayed on again at the end. Where at a real champion hurdle gallop you'd expect him to drop out of it and weaken.

Saldier did well, sharjah and KD will be much more at home of an end to end gallop. Theres nothing to say that saldier wouldnt be either, but would just put more pressure on his jumping at the business end. They will all improve for the run,

They'd all need to improve
But who am I kidding, the 2 miler hurdle division is dire over here with BVD the only one with proven experience. Irish take this unless Henderson has a monster in Penhouse - whom I can't and wont consider until I've seen him run in open company

[Scooby91]

They'd all need to improve
But who am I kidding, the 2 miler hurdle division is dire over here with BVD the only one with proven experience. Irish take this unless Henderson has a monster in Penhouse - whom I can't and wont consider until I've seen him run in open company

I'd be almost certain BVD would have won that at the weekend, and stylishly so. But they obviously wouldnt be anywhere near the condition he'd hope to have them in come march.

[opatcho]

I'd be almost certain BVD would have won that at the weekend, and stylishly so. But they obviously wouldnt be anywhere near the condition he'd hope to have them in come march.

I agree, I was on BVD that day and had him to beat both Apples Jade and Laurina, so was pretty confident that he'd that his 3 title. What-if's.... though

Just watched Saldier's win from over the weekend, and you know what. My initial reaction and following thoughts where unnecessary negative

This season, I've been keen to horses who have ran in open graded company, and winning first time out. Saldier not only ran well, but he beat a few established horses there.

He ran extremely well, and thought he jumped fairly good actually. Will be interesting to see how much he'll improve given he was raced before coming over to Ireland.

If he takes another grade 1 race over in Ireland and performs as well, if not better, then.... I'm going to have to take Saldier very seriously

Will be interesting to watch jockey bookings

Anything else think KD should have went chasing?

[Quevega]

Saldier has to be given the most credit, and his last two jumps (especially the second, last were reminiscent of the fly) who also used to win his Irish grade ones in similar fashion.
The only thing (as mentioned earlier today) is how he'll go at Cheltenham when they go champion hurdle pace.

[Quevega]

Klassical Dream looks a little loopy to me. He was weird at cheltenham too and the super low head carriage for the first half mile is a sign of an idiot.
Which is why his win in the supreme was so impressive at the track in a good time, and he behaved ok at Punchestown after.
Interesting if they put any head gear on, as willie don't tend to bother with it most of the time.