2022 Champion Hurdle

[OscarWhisky]

Is anyone else completely 'meh' about this race now?

With EIR disappointing and even Sharjah not setting the world alight, I just can't see anything in the betting.

I'm sorry but I'm not backing Honeysuckle at 7/4 at this point. Doesn't appeal to me at all.

I want honey to get beat pre Fez just to liven this race up.

I'm happy to the lay the race for now but erugh, it crap ain't it.

Any chance Epatante could be the forgotten horse? Have to allow for that Hendo Bullshit insurance but was apparently working the house down last week..... (again).

[Lobos]

Question for everyone......

Would the Epatante that won the Champion Hurdle beat the Honeysuckle that won this year ?

[Dandrew99]

Question for everyone......

Would the Epatante that won the Champion Hurdle beat the Honeysuckle that won this year ?

I think no. But... Would that Epatante have a better chance of beating Honeysuckle than any other horse in training? Quite possibly. And of those being targeted at the race currently? Almost definitely.

If we take RPRs literally, she has been consistent around the 160 mark, I can't think of another mare (bar Honeysuckle) that would run to that, and I can't think of anyone who I'd have any confidence of running to 167+.

She's one of the best value bets out there at the minute for me. And should anything happen to Honeysuckle, I wouldn't be surprised if she is favourite come March.

[OscarWhisky]

Having suggested Epatante as a forgotten horse I'd second Dandrew99 and what he put above.

Gun to my head. If Epatante and EIR raced in a few weeks time I know where I'd have to put my hard earned. It would have to be the 2020 Champion Hurdle winner.

[Morley Street]

I think no. But... Would that Epatante have a better chance of beating Honeysuckle than any other horse in training? Quite possibly. And of those being targeted at the race currently? Almost definitely.

If we take RPRs literally, she has been consistent around the 160 mark, I can't think of another mare (bar Honeysuckle) that would run to that, and I can't think of anyone who I'd have any confidence of running to 167+.

She's one of the best value bets out there at the minute for me. And should anything happen to Honeysuckle, I wouldn't be surprised if she is favourite come March.

I agree and do not think it’s inconceivable for for her to regain her title… it’s been done before. There was clearly something amiss following last year’s Fighting Fifth… if she could get back to that form, she’d have a right chance imo… 16s with cash out is almost a bet to nothing

[opatcho]

Question for everyone......

Would the Epatante that won the Champion Hurdle beat the Honeysuckle that won this year ?

For me, its all about pace.

I feel Epatante does better where pace is pretty mixed during the race, whereas I think Honeysuckle has that 2 and a half mile, faugheen-like pace. Last year, they had a few front runners so pace looked fairly decent.

Back to answering the question, I think 2021 Honeysuckle would have beaten 2020 Epatante. I feel Honeysuckle has won better races and I actually thought she was a better horse when they were both novices, and had switch over to Honeysuckle as my Novice Mares pick for just before she withdrew

[FinalFurlong91]

Question for everyone......

Would the Epatante that won the Champion Hurdle beat the Honeysuckle that won this year ?

I think it would be close personally, with honeysuckle coming out on top just

[Istabraq]

Is anyone else completely 'meh' about this race now?

I think this race has suffered similar fates multiple times in recent years until something comes out and puts in a decent performance mid season, no doubt the same will happen this year but I can’t help thinking Honeysuckle won’t have to be at her absolute best to double up…

[Gloria Victis]

Hi all, first post so be gentle. I have a bit of a soft spot for Honey's stable mate Aspire Tower. I don't for a minute think he can beat an on form Honeysuckle but ran an, admittedly, well beaten 4th last season in his notoriously tricky 5yo career. HdB stable tour says staying hurdling and was half expecting to have seen him out by now so hope there is no injury issue. He always seems to put in one really chance ending jump which is frustrating as he can jump really well, but now out of his first season in open company am hoping he can have improved enough to get a bit closer. 50/1 not a bad e/w price in, what has been said, a pretty stale division.

[Lobos]

Hi all, first post so be gentle. I have a bit of a soft spot for Honey's stable mate Aspire Tower. I don't for a minute think he can beat an on form Honeysuckle but ran an, admittedly, well beaten 4th last season in his notoriously tricky 5yo career. HdB stable tour says staying hurdling and was half expecting to have seen him out by now so hope there is no injury issue. He always seems to put in one really chance ending jump which is frustrating as he can jump really well, but now out of his first season in open company am hoping he can have improved enough to get a bit closer. 50/1 not a bad e/w price in, what has been said, a pretty stale division.

Backed him top 4 in the Without Honey market this year which I'd say would be the way to go again. I'm thinking he may be better off in a Stayers but that's a whole new debate.

[Gloria Victis]

The w/o Honey market makes sense.

[somer1]

The w/o Honey market makes sense.

Now thers a name of a horse we didnt get to see enough of. Pure Class.

[Kevloaf]

Hi all, first post so be gentle. I have a bit of a soft spot for Honey's stable mate Aspire Tower. I don't for a minute think he can beat an on form Honeysuckle but ran an, admittedly, well beaten 4th last season in his notoriously tricky 5yo career. HdB stable tour says staying hurdling and was half expecting to have seen him out by now so hope there is no injury issue. He always seems to put in one really chance ending jump which is frustrating as he can jump really well, but now out of his first season in open company am hoping he can have improved enough to get a bit closer. 50/1 not a bad e/w price in, what has been said, a pretty stale division.

Welcome, thanks for joining.

I like him too, not due to run until Christmas, so will wait until a bit closer to the time....

Waiting for the 'without Honeysuckle' market might be too late.... hopefully not though.

[jono]

Question for everyone......

Would the Epatante that won the Champion Hurdle beat the Honeysuckle that won this year ?

Great question. For me:

Epatante - a good mare. Who was a good winner of the Champion Hurdle. Won a couple of grade ones in the UK. Could well win a couple more, and place again in a CH

Honeysuckle - a great mare. A very good winner of the Champion Hurdle (beat Sharjah twice the distance 6L > 3L that Epatante did) and has 2 x Hattons Grace victories, 2 x Irish Champion Hurdle victories and a Punchestown festival win. Again, could and probably will add to this. Beat Benie des Dieux over 2m4 in the Mares.
Even taking aside her 2m4 form, her CV over 2 miles now reads a level above between the pair. With the Irish form trumping the UK by a fair bit (Irish filling 3 of the first 4 in last seasons CH and 4 of the top 5 in the 2020 race)

The only reason I had for siding with Epatante between the pair was Honeysuckles suitability to 2 miles. Something which has been well and truly put to bed now.

[Gloria Victis]

Now thers a name of a horse we didnt get to see enough of. Pure Class.

Was devastated at his death. I know it happens but was one that really affected me. The way he would attack his fences made the heart soar.