Champion Hurdle 2020

[Super Raven]

Totally agree as well. Doesn't bother me at all that the Mares Hurdle could be better than the Champion Hurdle tbh. Two great mares taking each other on... its a rarity and most years the CH will be a great race. So lets just enjoy this clash while we have it.

Definitely agree. I would much rather see them take each other on in the Mares than the CH as it is ideal for both of them. As apposed to one of them potentially winning the champion hurdle and somebody brings up 'it would be a different outcome over 2m4'

[Pendil]

Last 5 pages are in wrong thread

[Craigy14]

The Mares race shouldn't be a Grade 1.

They would both carry the G1 winners penalty in the G2 Mares and that's fine.

It isn't pocket talk to say the Champion Hurdle should always be a better race than the Mares at THE FESTIVAL.

They can clash over a mid trip wherever they like.

If you think the clash between Honey and BDD is better than seeing them both in the CH or Stayers, ask yourself whether it's because you've backed them or not.


It would be amazing if BDD and Honey were clashing at 2 miles.

I don't care which one of these is the best mare at the trip, it's now just a financial interest.

I’m not questioning if they should go for 2m or not but if they don’t see 2m as their best chance of winning why would the owners send them to the ch?

I get the BDD stayers option as I think she would have a massive chance even with pp in there, she’d be getting 7lbs. But as we have mentioned a few times willie will take the easier option so we don’t get to see those clashes unfortunately.

The only one I’ve backed is BDD in the mares nothing else for either of the 2 in the 3 options. That doesn’t mean I don’t think she’d make the stayers a better race or that she shouldn’t go for it. I just don’t think she would win the champion hurdle over 2m.

Edit - yes the 2 mares would make the champion hurdle a better race but as my first post about this the owners maybe don’t feel it’s their best chance of winning. The poor champion hurdle renewal shouldn’t mean every other horse should divert as its winnable as it might not suit their horse. I think honey would have a chance but owners have decided against it, equally I think BDD would have a great chance stayers and time will tell what they choose for her.

[SuperTiger]

The Mares race shouldn't be a Grade 1.

They would both carry the G1 winners penalty in the G2 Mares and that's fine.

It isn't pocket talk to say the Champion Hurdle should always be a better race than the Mares at THE FESTIVAL.

They can clash over a mid trip wherever they like.

If you think the clash between Honey and BDD is better than seeing them both in the CH or Stayers, ask yourself whether it's because you've backed them or not.


It would be amazing if BDD and Honey were clashing at 2 miles.

I don't care which one of these is the best mare at the trip, it's now just a financial interest.

I personally think Honey would have a better chance in the CH this year rather than taking on Benie at her peak, but would rather see the both of them clash in the Mares than the CH by far. Makes for a much better race seeing the two compete over their optimum trips IMO.

[Istabraq]

Makes for a much better race seeing the two compete over their optimum trips IMO.

Completely agree with this.
The bigger argument, as has been pointed out many time, is whether the Mares should be a G1 and therefore attractive enough for some of the best hurdlers not to try the Champion Hurdle.
The half different mile difference is probably significant here...

[Kevloaf]

Is it not better to see them clash over both of their optimum trip so there are no question marks against it after the race?

Not at the festival, no.

Afterwards, absolutely.

I'd prefer to see them clash in a real race, if one gets best because 2m isn't right, so what?

[Kevloaf]

Completely with you on this. Never be scared of one horse especially when you know your horse is better over 2 mile 4f.

Nothing to do with being scared of one horse.

Irrelevant to what he asked me.

[Kevloaf]

It'll be a smashing clash on the day.
But the race of the day is lessened because of this.
If they do clash, then one of them will be regretting it for sure.

Winnable Champion hurdles don't come around very often, and the Mares can be won 6 times on the trot if you're good enough, stepping off the beach too.

All fair points

[Kevloaf]

Just knew this news would get Kev fired up...

Totally agree as well. Doesn't bother me at all that the Mares Hurdle could be better than the Champion Hurdle tbh. Two great mares taking each other on... its a rarity and most years the CH will be a great race. So lets just enjoy this clash while we have it.

So why not have them clash in the Champion Hurdle?

I'd you don't care that the Mares Hurdle is deemed the same or better than the Champion Hurdle, what's the point of the festival really?

[Kevloaf]

Just knew this news would get Kev fired up...

Exactly my thoughts. You want your horse running over their ideal trip. I think Honeysuckle connections would regret it more if they went to the weaker Champion Hurdle and lost, rather than running her over her optimum trip against one of the best in training where she still has a great chance of winning.

So what's wrong with making it a grade 2?

If it's at her optimum, would they still go for it?

[Craigy14]

Not at the festival, no.

Afterwards, absolutely.

I'd prefer to see them clash in a real race, if one gets best because 2m isn't right, so what?

I don’t understand that Kev, sorry.

So they should send their horses to a race they may not think they can win over 2m just because it makes it a better race?

Can’t agree with that if that’s what your saying. Makes no sense for owner or trainer to send their horse to a race they don’t think they could win if they have a better suited race they can win.

Edit - Trainers and owners are in it for the passion of racing and winning, don’t think many will be all about the money. Yes the champion hurdle is the more prestigious race. I’m not disagreeing about the whole mares Ryanair etc debate where horses defect to easier races. I’m talking about trainers/owners putting horses into the best chance they can win whether that’s the more prestigious or not.

[Istabraq]

So what's wrong with making it a grade 2?

I don't disagree and you know it was for many years, I may be wrong but I think it was a G2 for all of Quevega's wins...

[Istabraq]

So why not have them clash in the Champion Hurdle?

Benie is never a 2 miler, Honeysuckle might be...

[Kevloaf]

Right, let me get home and I'll explain... 7ish

[Kevloaf]

Benie is never a 2 miler, Honeysuckle might be...

If only there was a 3 mile hurdle she could run in ...

Or an Aintree festival with a prestigious Intermediate Hurdle