2022 Champion Hurdle

[Istabraq]

It’s not a big loss for most.

They could still have a few for 6yo but not Listed or Graded, purely for debuts prior to hurdling, not for a whole seasonal programme.

I don’t disagree at all, as I said bumpers were virtually non existent 30/35 years ago in the UK…

[Kevloaf]

Did people think that Epatante struggled a bit on the gallop today? Was niggled to get upside the others and then to the front, and then was pushed harder to stay there alongside Mister Coffey who looked stronger.

We just can't use that as viable information though can we?

What 'we' see on a gallop is one thing, it's one off.... and just not relevant for March.

[Eggs]

…PP have Honeysuckle to win Hattons & CH @ 5/2 (9/4 with Sky).

Epatante Fighting 5th & CH 20-1

[Run4Home]

Note , from what I can see Monmiral is not qualified for the Gerry Fielden - Nicholls team have missed that one as seems like they planned to run

[Hurdles or chasing]

David Jennings on Upping the Ante saying Aspire Tower has had a bit of a setback but is expected back at xmas or just after. Think this was what most of us thought after he wasn't entered in the Fighting fifth.

[ToniC]

Real conundrum here with honeysuckle. Nearly made use of the Mrs’ Paddy Power account earlier to whack down a bit on the 5/2 hattons grace + CH special (since cut to 2/1) but decided if I was going to be a backer at more than a couple of points I’d want cash out. Which brings me to her current price. Like a lot of punters I think, I do have a bit of an aversion to taking such short odds months out from the festival, but I think you could actually make an argument for the 7/4 being an ok bet.

She has age on her side vs Sharjah, both in outright years and in terms or miles on the clock and I could only see the already comfortable gap between them getting bigger, he always runs his race but is well exposed now as being a level short of winning a champion hurdle, and will probably be backable at current prices or similar on the day you’d think. I don’t make Epatante much of a factor, even if (unlikely IMO) she could run to her 2020 form. That leaves last years 2 mile novice hurdlers, which were undoubtedly a below average bunch and the best of those are going chasing. I can’t think of a single good horse of last years novices staying over hurdles this season? My pick of the rest would actually be Aspire Tower, ran a good race last year and given his age and profile there’s absolutely a viable argument that he could improve on 4th place especially with such little else coming through the ranks. Even given his current injury the 50s seems a decent each way bet.

Anyway back to honeysuckle, 7/4 seems skinny but compare that to shishkin, who’s shorter at 6/4 and has Energumene and Chacun, as well as to a lesser extent Nube Negra and PTKO to contend with it doesn’t look too bad. If she wins convincingly at the weekend I could see her being evs or marginally bigger. Even winning at all she will no doubt be the shortest priced festival fav. If she is going to get beaten, the biggest chance of that happening IMO is however in the race this weekend, but seeing how well reading HdB had APT for the Betfair Chase would alleviate that concern a bit. And knowing bookmakers they won’t push her out much so cashout shouldn’t be affected horrendously.

IMO the only thing that can conceivably get honeysuckle beat in the Champion Hurdle is herself, either through injury or through a sudden drop off in form (wouldn’t be the first mare to experience it admittedly).

what are other people’s thoughts? Has anybody else gone in yet at the current price, or thinking or it prior to Sunday?

[JamieSensible]

I will get laughed off the forum, but I think Honeysuckle will be the first hot favourite beaten in 2022, She's 12/12 and seemingly faultless. BUT! I just have this feeling with mares, despite the fact she's only 7, they can go off the boil, I just think of the likes of Apple's Jade and it makes me think this race isn't a full drawn conclusion.

I've had a bet on Monmiral, but Teahupoo could be a dark horse in this race.

[riccirich]

Real conundrum here with honeysuckle. Nearly made use of the Mrs’ Paddy Power account earlier to whack down a bit on the 5/2 hattons grace + CH special (since cut to 2/1) but decided if I was going to be a backer at more than a couple of points I’d want cash out. Which brings me to her current price. Like a lot of punters I think, I do have a bit of an aversion to taking such short odds months out from the festival, but I think you could actually make an argument for the 7/4 being an ok bet.

She has age on her side vs Sharjah, both in outright years and in terms or miles on the clock and I could only see the already comfortable gap between them getting bigger, he always runs his race but is well exposed now as being a level short of winning a champion hurdle, and will probably be backable at current prices or similar on the day you’d think. I don’t make Epatante much of a factor, even if (unlikely IMO) she could run to her 2020 form. That leaves last years 2 mile novice hurdlers, which were undoubtedly a below average bunch and the best of those are going chasing. I can’t think of a single good horse of last years novices staying over hurdles this season? My pick of the rest would actually be Aspire Tower, ran a good race last year and given his age and profile there’s absolutely a viable argument that he could improve on 4th place especially with such little else coming through the ranks. Even given his current injury the 50s seems a decent each way bet.

Anyway back to honeysuckle, 7/4 seems skinny but compare that to shishkin, who’s shorter at 6/4 and has Energumene and Chacun, as well as to a lesser extent Nube Negra and PTKO to contend with it doesn’t look too bad. If she wins convincingly at the weekend I could see her being evs or marginally bigger. Even winning at all she will no doubt be the shortest priced festival fav. If she is going to get beaten, the biggest chance of that happening IMO is however in the race this weekend, but seeing how well reading HdB had APT for the Betfair Chase would alleviate that concern a bit. And knowing bookmakers they won’t push her out much so cashout shouldn’t be affected horrendously.

IMO the only thing that can conceivably get honeysuckle beat in the Champion Hurdle is herself, either through injury or through a sudden drop off in form (wouldn’t be the first mare to experience it admittedly).

what are other people’s thoughts? Has anybody else gone in yet at the current price, or thinking or it prior to Sunday?

Even at 5/2 I wouldnt take that hattons grace + champ hurdle bet, a lot of de bromheads are needing their first run this season and honeysuckle herself was lacking fitness in last years hattons grace and would have been beat in another few strides, so if its the same story this year she could easily get beat by the likes of klassical dream and drift to a slightly bigger price if you think 7/4 is too low for you.

[Topofthegame2021]

I will get laughed off the forum, but I think Honeysuckle will be the first hot favourite beaten in 2022, She's 12/12 and seemingly faultless. BUT! I just have this feeling with mares, despite the fact she's only 7, they can go off the boil, I just think of the likes of Apple's Jade and it makes me think this race isn't a full drawn conclusion.

I've had a bet on Monmiral, but Teahupoo could be a dark horse in this race.

I’m 100% with you on the Honeysuckle point mate. At 7/4 for a defending champion hurdler you’ve got to take an opinion on it. Either, A) great, fill your boots or B) can’t have her.

She scrambled over the line in last years Hatton Grace, she’s vulnerable to the better field currently on show. Abracadabras is jumping out to me @ 12/1 and if I knew he was deffo running I’d take that.

I have nothing to take honeysuckle on with right now in the CH hence why I haven’t really made my stance so clear but I am against her for sure. I’m against 5YOs in a Champion Hurdle and was only willing to break that for French Aseel (strange I know) but am happy to wait for their next runs before getting stuck in.

[charlie]

I’m 100% with you on the Honeysuckle point mate. At 7/4 for a defending champion hurdler you’ve got to take an opinion on it. Either, A) great, fill your boots or B) can’t have her.

She scrambled over the line in last years Hatton Grace, she’s vulnerable to the better field currently on show. Abracadabras is jumping out to me @ 12/1 and if I knew he was deffo running I’d take that.

I have nothing to take honeysuckle on with right now in the CH hence why I haven’t really made my stance so clear but I am against her for sure. I’m against 5YOs in a Champion Hurdle and was only willing to break that for French Aseel (strange I know) but am happy to wait for their next runs before getting stuck in.

I'm waiting with Honey. I think she'll take all the beating in March and nothing will lay a glove on her, but, if she puts up a similar performance in the HG this year to last year vs the company she's likely to face, then she could lose. I'll be banking on a bookie over reaction and snaffling as much of the 3/1+ I can get my hands on, in that event. She could course piss up and pass my by at 7/4 which is fine, in a few roll ups and 3's and 4's so thats fine.

[ComplyOrDie]

I'm waiting with Honey. I think she'll take all the beating in March and nothing will lay a glove on her, but, if she puts up a similar performance in the HG this year to last year vs the company she's likely to face, then she could lose. I'll be banking on a bookie over reaction and snaffling as much of the 3/1+ I can get my hands on, in that event. She could course piss up and pass my by at 7/4 which is fine, in a few roll ups and 3's and 4's so thats fine.

IF she does lose I hope Henry doesn't suddenly start giving it the 'Put The Kettle On' talk about going back to the Mares Hurdle

[Istabraq]

IF she does lose I hope Henry doesn't suddenly start giving it the 'Put The Kettle On' talk about going back to the Mares Hurdle

Maybe the big Cheltenham masterplan is to create a Mares festival…

[Hardy Eustace]

Real conundrum here with honeysuckle. Nearly made use of the Mrs’ Paddy Power account earlier to whack down a bit on the 5/2 hattons grace + CH special (since cut to 2/1) but decided if I was going to be a backer at more than a couple of points I’d want cash out. Which brings me to her current price. Like a lot of punters I think, I do have a bit of an aversion to taking such short odds months out from the festival, but I think you could actually make an argument for the 7/4 being an ok bet.

She has age on her side vs Sharjah, both in outright years and in terms or miles on the clock and I could only see the already comfortable gap between them getting bigger, he always runs his race but is well exposed now as being a level short of winning a champion hurdle, and will probably be backable at current prices or similar on the day you’d think. I don’t make Epatante much of a factor, even if (unlikely IMO) she could run to her 2020 form. That leaves last years 2 mile novice hurdlers, which were undoubtedly a below average bunch and the best of those are going chasing. I can’t think of a single good horse of last years novices staying over hurdles this season? My pick of the rest would actually be Aspire Tower, ran a good race last year and given his age and profile there’s absolutely a viable argument that he could improve on 4th place especially with such little else coming through the ranks. Even given his current injury the 50s seems a decent each way bet.

Anyway back to honeysuckle, 7/4 seems skinny but compare that to shishkin, who’s shorter at 6/4 and has Energumene and Chacun, as well as to a lesser extent Nube Negra and PTKO to contend with it doesn’t look too bad. If she wins convincingly at the weekend I could see her being evs or marginally bigger. Even winning at all she will no doubt be the shortest priced festival fav. If she is going to get beaten, the biggest chance of that happening IMO is however in the race this weekend, but seeing how well reading HdB had APT for the Betfair Chase would alleviate that concern a bit. And knowing bookmakers they won’t push her out much so cashout shouldn’t be affected horrendously.

IMO the only thing that can conceivably get honeysuckle beat in the Champion Hurdle is herself, either through injury or through a sudden drop off in form (wouldn’t be the first mare to experience it admittedly).

what are other people’s thoughts? Has anybody else gone in yet at the current price, or thinking or it prior to Sunday?

Am weighing up backing Honeysuckle. Cant believe I would ever think about backing a 7/4 shot 4 months out but I am.

The only thing stopping me is Honey's first run out last season. It was obviously her least impressive and IMO if she runs like that at the weekend she will get beat. Henry's seem to be needing the run more this season too. That said its a grade 1 and he will want to win it.

The question is do you take the 7/4 now or hope she gets beat and get 9/4 possibly even 5/2 there after. If she wins what will she be 5/4 / 11/10? It may be better to wait...

[DeeBee]

Am weighing up backing Honeysuckle. Cant believe I would ever think about backing a 7/4 shot 4 months out but I am.

The only thing stopping me is Honey's first run out last season. It was obviously her least impressive and IMO if she runs like that at the weekend she will get beat. Henry's seem to be needing the run more this season too. That said its a grade 1 and he will want to win it.

The question is do you take the 7/4 now or hope she gets beat and get 9/4 possibly even 5/2 there after. If she wins what will she be 5/4 / 11/10? It may be better to wait...

A general 6/4 now.. 7/4 is long gone

[Spectre]

7/4 Paddy Power and Sportsbook with a boost still.

I'm okay with where I am with her for the moment, but if I weren't I'd have a target return for her, and probably split my mistakes now and after the race to half that return each. We all play it different ways though, and it's whatever suits our own mentality.