2024 Champion Hurdle (Previously Constitution Hill thread)

[Exar Essay]

It is very hard to find runners in this.

Constitution Hill
State Man
Not So Sleepy
Zarak the Brave?
First Street - handicappers done them no favours so may fancy a day out and 4th place in this.
Luccia - Taken out of Mares but left in here

Might actually have to play Not So Sleepy each way

Would Pied Piper have a chance? Would they try the County again off 157 (assuming he stays on that mark)? I'd take 7/2 to place in that field (40/1 NRNM with no chance of the win part).

[Benjy23]

Would Pied Piper have a chance? Would they try the County again off 157 (assuming he stays on that mark)? I'd take 7/2 to place in that field (40/1 NRNM with no chance of the win part).

Aye, I scrolled over him due to colours But he'd be a likely runner imo. Surely have no chance in a handicap and new owners having a Champion Hurdle runner probably appeal as well.

No chance is a bit harsh for the handicap. But he'd be weighted higher than last year, when he couldn't win. And finishing 4th in a CH is better than 2nd in a County anyway...

[Quevega]

I did the annual Guard Duty ew bet at 130-1 the other day before ladbrokes reduced to 2.
Had to go back and check the slip just in case of error though
Hopefully they are daft enough to run, and not daft enough to try and lead this year

No ones mentioned him though so maybe he's injured ?

[big H]

Zanahiyr has been 3rd in the last 2 Champion Hurdles at 28's and 66's (though DQ'd in 2022)

It still holds an entry in CH so if it fails to impress at Thurles today it could end up in CH again.

Assuming CH and SM finish top 2, 3rd place looks up for grabs - I think Echoes in Rain is the best of the rest (beaten a total of 30L by State Man in last 3 runs) and I have already backed EIR e/w 3 places in the expectation there will be only a handful of runners and with the hope of slightly better ground at the Festival

Have added Zanahiyr e/w @ 50's 3 places NRNB.

[Liammet]

Have added Zanahiyr e/w @ 50's 3 places NRNB.

I have taken the 50s aswell on Zanahiyr
I have also taken the 100s on Under Control in the hope she wins the Betfair Hurdle
Mostly in the hope she takes the Epatante route having bombed out in the mares novice hurdle last year
The worry been she is still only 5 so they might give it a miss for this year but the 7lb mares allowance in the Champion Hurdle has been well exploited in recent years

[archie]

Assuming CH and SM finish top 2, 3rd place looks up for grabs - I think Echoes in Rain is the best of the rest (beaten a total of 30L by State Man in last 3 runs) and I have already backed EIR e/w 3 places in the expectation there will be only a handful of runners and with the hope of slightly better ground at the Festival

I'd be doing Willie's NRNB this far out. I heard that EIR was being considered for the County but this is Willie and, unless she isn't amongst the entries, we will only know for sure when the decs are out.

[OffTheBridle]

I'd be doing Willie's NRNB this far out. I heard that EIR was being considered for the County but this is Willie and, unless she isn't amongst the entries, we will only know for sure when the decs are out.

If Willie runs EIR in the county I will cry, she would have won in 2021 if he entered but avoided cheltenham. she would have ran off no more than mid 130s that year and hosed up. Then that Belfast banter who she had beaten a few weeks earlier comes through and wins. Still hurts

[TigerRolllllll]

I’ve done her for County while ago….only bet in race so far

She won’t beat Lossie & don’t think stays….older, classy ones can do ok in County

[Quevega]

I’ve done her for County while ago….only bet in race so far

She won’t beat Lossie & don’t think stays….older, classy ones can do ok in County

She'd have to run to 160 just to break par.

[TigerRolllllll]

She'd have to run to 160 just to break par.

153 + 7 allowance? That’s easily poss

Or 160 + 7 ?? That’s unlikely

[Quevega]

153 + 7 allowance? That’s easily poss

Or 160 + 7 ?? That’s unlikely

She don't get an allowance in a handicap, if thats what you mean.

So if she meets a 153 rated gelding she is effectively 7lb worse off than if they met in a graded race. So needs to run to 160 just to match him.

[TigerRolllllll]

She don't get an allowance in a handicap, if thats what you mean.

So if she meets a 153 rated gelding she is effectively 7lb worse off than if they met in a graded race. So needs to run to 160 just to match him.

Good point ….having a senior moment I think

Must Have had another one when put bet on ….can always cash nearer time when see decs

[Carnage at Taunton]

Interesting interview with Hendo there
CH scoped good and working well and very happy with him.
Luccia and First St may well run here.

[On The Fringe]

From GE RP Cheltenham Stable Tour.....

Irish Point

Unibet Champion Hurdle, 16-1/Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle, 4-1

He's a young horse with a great attitude and plenty of class. He's won his last four and hasn't done a lot wrong in his whole career. He's a short enough price for the Stayers' Hurdle and he saw out the three miles well at Leopardstown, but it's not beyond the bounds of possibility he could run in the Champion Hurdle, as we also have Teahupoo for the Stayers' Hurdle, who is also owned by Brian [Acheson, of Robcour]. I could see him running a huge race in the Champion Hurdle and you should never be afraid of one horse. The fast pace would work in his favour and, if he managed to keep himself in contention coming down the hill, he'd be coming back up it as fast as anything else. He's a proper horse.

Interesting!

[Lobos]

Very !!

Does sound like they are seriously contemplating it. Odd decision IMO if they go that route.