2025 Champion Hurdle

[Quevega]

Yeah, a lot could depend on how State Man gets on with an eye on connections.

I find the lack of grade 1 experience a massive concern if he was to turn up. I haven't found a single Mullins Champion Hurdle runner that hadn't raced in a grade 1 whilst the last to win a Champ Hurdle without ever having run in a grade 1 is Make A Stand in 1997.

Where are you coming from with this concern ?
Have you not backed and wondering if to bother ?

If you're not already on then I'd probably wait it out, but if one or two of the principles do fall away then you'd find it even harder to stump up at lower prices still.

I think you might be on the right lines and he may be a sub of some sort. (I hope he runs as he adds an extra dimension, and I've backed)
His participation might be even more important ( to make the race a spectacle) depending on how the weekend goes.

If Brighterdaysahead don't run at weekend then I think the mares looks very likely and if State Man beats Lossie, the Champion hurdle suddenly could become a retro non-event. (perfect for some of my bets but not for the race/sport)

You'd like to think if state man did beat Lossie it could persuade O'learys to have a go, but that's doubtful.
I do think BDA probably needs to run and win at the weekend for her champion hurdle chances (running in it I mean).

If neither run in the end then it'll be disappointing for my little book but that's what happens.

I definitely would not be as worried on the experience side, it was debated on here the other day.
I'd say he's a real player if he does run as he looks so powerful and capable of a lot more in the way he travels through a race, against admittedly grade 3 animals or below.

[Runragged]

Where are you coming from with this concern ?
Have you not backed and wondering if to bother ?

I just like to discuss the races especially with a view to the trends of previous winners. On that basis there is not a chance in hell that I would back him and would happily have him as a loser in the book if he was to turn up. He does have bags of potential and it will be exciting what he can do in the future but I am believer in horses having experience in good races against good horses and this horse doesn't have it yet.

[Quevega]

No Brighterdaysahead at the weekend.

[Kevloaf]

No Brighterdaysahead at the weekend.

How are the exchanges for her in the Mares now?
Can't check at work

Well I can, just not as easily

[darlojim]

How are the exchanges for her in the Mares now?
Can't check at work

Well I can, just not as easily

6/4 Mares
7.2 CH

[Carnage at Taunton]

How are the exchanges for her in the Mares now?
Can't check at work

Well I can, just not as easily

About 6/4 just now

[Carnage at Taunton]

6/4 Mares
7.2 CH

too quick for me Jim

[Lobos]

No Brighterdaysahead at the weekend.

Definitely looks like Mares then unless a big upset at the weekend and/or Constitution Hill doesn't make it again. In other words.......it'll run and run.

[Quevega]

Definitely looks like Mares then unless a big upset at the weekend and/or Constitution Hill doesn't make it again. In other words.......it'll run and run.

Yeah, unfortunately.
That's fair enough though as you need to keep options open till nearer.
But barring a strange result at weekend and assuming they all stay fit it looks like mares for her.

On a positive - this could be the "Bosman" moment for the mares hurdle and they make changes for next season.

Worse case scenario is someone treds on a stone on the tuesday morning and we end up with 2 long odds on shots in both races again.
To add to a likely odds on arkle favourite.

Thanks fuck the NH chase is a handicap although if Now is the Hour goes off odds on I'll give up.

Where did you leave the shit bags by the way ?

[Lobos]

"Where did you leave the shit bags by the way ?"

You've lost me there ??

[Quevega]

"Where did you leave the shit bags by the way ?"

You've lost me there ??

It's a long story. on the mares hurdle thread.
O'learys have got away with it anyway as they've not gone for the Irish.

I was going to throw bags of shit at them, you were my accomplice/supplier/maker.

[Lobos]

It's a long story. on the mares hurdle thread.
O'learys have got away with it anyway as they've not gone for the Irish.

I was going to throw bags of shit at them, you were my accomplice/supplier/maker.

Would have been up for that. Couple of twats those two. I'll forgive them though if Lossiemouth wins all.

[Brooksie]

After how much she put into the race over Christmas I never thought she was going to turn up for the Irish Champion Hurdle. Sure they've probably given her a break the last 3 weeks and they'll start building her back up for the Champion Hurdle.

[Quevega]

https://t.attheraces.com/news/2025/January/28/straight-to-cheltenham-for-brighterdaysahead,-says-elliott

[Birds Nest]

I think bda skipping the weekend is a posutive for the CH myself. Ruby mentioned that going to the well 3 times before cheltenham would hinder any champ bid for her, i agree with him and hopefully so does gordon.