Champion Hurdle 2021

[Big Chac]

I believe that Sharjah would have a good chance of finishing ahead of Epatante. The ride given this year was 6L off the pace and only beaten 2L...on soft ground. If the going conditions had been gd/ sft. I figure that Sharjah would be 4l in front in the race between those two. However neither of them wins the Champion Hurdle?

Really? Was epatante all out in the champion hurdle? I think she had plenty more in the tank and would be Sharjah no matter the ground.

[Bigfish]

It was a very coaxing ride on Sharjah ridden to orders no doubt because of unfavourable going. I agree that Epatante had at least 4L more in the tank and have considered this in my reckoning.

[Lobos]

I'd say Epatante, looking at her action, would be even better on Good/Soft ground.

[Cheltenham Novice Chase]

I’m going to put up a 50-1 shot: Coeur Sublime. He is very slick over his hurdles and made a very promising debut this season with his 4th place in the Morgiana when looking very comfortable approaching the last before tiring, which can be expected FTO and against horses which had already run. He had a wind problem previously which looks to resolved the problem. I think you can make excuses for his performance in last year’s Churdle, being only a 5 year old and it being his first run after wind surgery in that some horses take another run to realise their wind is on longer a problem.

50-1 Coeur Sublime.

[ToniC]

Anyone think there's any chance Concertista will run in this race? Pricewise appeared to suggest this possibility in a recent article. She flew up the hill in March and looked very impressive on her return.

Yes would say there is a chance and have backed her for it. A fair bit more likely to go for the mares hurdle IMO but obviously if you’re getting it priced accordingly then that shouldn’t be an issue. A lot depends on BDD probably, and what happens in Concertistas next run, you’d like to see her be taking on geldings next time if you fancy her for this.

The way I see it Willie will have at least 2 runners here in March, maybe 3, 1 of them is nailed on to be Sharjah, then you have Saldier who’s deffo good enough to be a challenger, but has question marks over his soundness. He’s already missed 2 engagements, but the yard seem keen to get him here for a go at it. Saint Roi is the third obvious one, still has questions to answer for me, had backed him for the county last festival and he did it impressively, but winning this is a different ball game entirely to winning a handicap off 137, he could be good enough, but don’t think anybody’s seen enough to be convinced yet.

Concertista on the other hand has clearly improved no end from this point last year, again she’s got it to prove that she’d be up to this level but clearly had loads in hand when winning the last day. I could see her turning up, and being good enough to be competitive, but it largely depends on what BDD does, what Saint Roi/Saldier do, and how she performs on her next start.

there are a lot of moving parts and I wouldn’t be rushing to take 20s, but you should get bigger on the exchange

[Bigfish]

Saldier is 5L better than Sharjah and wins this I reckon.

[Spectre]

Anyone think there's any chance Concertista will run in this race? Pricewise appeared to suggest this possibility in a recent article. She flew up the hill in March and looked very impressive on her return.

Which is the harder race? Epatante in the Champion Hurdle or Honeysuckle in the Mares? Or even both of them in the Champion Hurdle. Given Willie has already she wants further than the minimum you’d have to say the Mares should be short odds on.

[ComplyOrDie]

A mare in the Champion Hurdle needs to be all about speed for me, Epatante has that in abundance but I don't think Honeysuckle does.

It's worth remembering how Apples Jade won the Irish Champion Hurdle by something like 15 lengths then got put in her place in the Champion Hurdle.

[Spectre]

Apples Jade is a really good comparison for Honeysuckle CoD. I hadn’t thought of it myself, but on what I think of Honeysuckle that’s spot on.

[Quevega]

I believe that Sharjah would have a good chance of finishing ahead of Epatante. The ride given this year was 6L off the pace and only beaten 2L...on soft ground. If the going conditions had been gd/ sft. I figure that Sharjah would be 4l in front in the race between those two. However neither of them wins the Champion Hurdle?

You pays your money.
Good luck with that school of thought.

It was Sharjah's best ever run.

[Bigfish]

You pays your money.
Good luck with that school of thought.

It was Sharjah's best ever run.

It was yes but a bad ride. On good ground a different result I think.

[FinalFurlong91]

I thought Patrick gave sharjah an excellent ride tbh

he came there on the bridle but epatante was comfortably best

sharjahs grade 1 wins read as follows

Waited with in rear
waited with towards rear
held up in 3rd (4 runner race)

They tried riding him nearer the pace in the irish champion hurdle and he ran terribly so they reverted to his usual hold up tactics

[Pendil]

Concertista is entered for the Matheson at Leopardstown over Christmas. 2ml G1

[Lobos]

Concertista is entered for the Matheson at Leopardstown over Christmas. 2ml G1

Could be a Girls 123 in Churdle ! That 7lbs eh !!!

[Saxon Warrior]

Could be a Girls 123 in Churdle ! That 7lbs eh !!!

Yep, and Roksana winning the Stayers, and PTKO the Champion Chase.

Just need to find one to cover the Gold Cup to complete the big four races.