2025 Champion Hurdle

[Exar Essay]

She can’t cope with him, not in the same league.
She was struggling very early and he wanted to go quicker
She won’t take him on again over 2m imo.

I’m not saying she’ll beat him. But she’s got closer than any other horse has previously whilst “running flat”. It’ll be a shame if she doesn’t reoppose.

[Carnage at Taunton]

She's been beaten 2l without travelling or jumping with any fluency, I think everyone's a bit emotional after the race writing off her chances, I think she could 100 per cent turn it around in March.

It's hard to believe constitution hill was anything short of fully fit today as it was no ordinary seasonal debut, and I think running over 2 and a half so often has caught her out early in the race, especially on a pretty sharp track.

I doubt there would be a whole lot between them at Cheltenham.

Best get on then 8/1 available now

[Quevega]

Yeah, I think at the very least, Willie will let her have a crack at the Irish Champion now.
I doubt very much if they have already resigned her to the Mares after that.

There is one clear Champion hurdler though - for sure - and Willie needs to find who's the best of his challengers at Leopardstown.
I thought everything went perfect in the race for C Hill and can kind of see where Townend is coming from with her running flat.
But I think C Hill is as likely to improve by and for Cheltenham as she is.

It's why the 5's and 11-2s should have been taken.
He's as good a hurdler as we've seen

[riccirich]

Best get on then 8/1 available now

I have, wild overreaction imo.

[Carnage at Taunton]

I have, wild overreaction imo.

Not on that showing it ain’t.
Jockey was shoving before the 1st.

[Brooksie]

It's easy to look quick when racing over two and a half at 25 miles an hour against the stayers hurdle winner. They were racing at 34 early today and she could hardly latch on. That's the closest she'll get to an on song CH.

[Wayward Lad]

I have, wild overreaction imo.

Thoroughly agree

She was only beaten two lengths on ground she would prefer softer and is only a 5 year old, so maybe more improvement to come ?

As a CH trail against maybe the best hurdler we have ever seen….not bad methinks….8/1 won’t last long

[riccirich]

Not on that showing it ain’t.
Jockey was shoving before the 1st.

Yes, uncharacteristically, and still only beat two lengths.

[Carnage at Taunton]

I’m not saying she’ll beat him. But she’s got closer than any other horse has previously whilst “running flat”. It’ll be a shame if she doesn’t reoppose.

Looked to me a simple case of out of her comfort zone for probably the first time.
Shock to the system I imagine.

[ComplyOrDie]

Just praying he stays sound now. That is now the worry, as we know how Nicky is keeping them wrapped up in cotton wool!

[Wayward Lad]

Not on that showing it ain’t.
Jockey was shoving before the 1st.

So ran flat, never travelling, couldn’t go the pace, jockey shoving etc etc…….and still only gets beaten 2 lengths !,…..with CH all out being hit with the whip at least 4 times

Don’t give up on her in the CH just yet !

[Atlantic Viking]

Somehow doubt Nico sent Paddy Brennan a Christmas card

[Yosser]

Are we forgetting that Con Hill was having his first start for a year and will have needed the run and is also still probably improving? He absolutely dicks up in the Champion Hurdle, he just does. Lossiemouth will never face him again imo

[Carnage at Taunton]

Yes, uncharacteristically, and still only beat two lengths.

You think they wanted to wanted to throw everything at CH in his first race for a year?
They’ve never done that with him before after two runs!!

I guess if people want they can listen to the excuses and look at 2 lengths defeat and get their own take on things.
After all we ain’t talking about an exact science.

[Quevega]

I doubt very much the speed of Kempton on ground like that suits either horse which is probably why Burdett Rd stayed with them so long.
A Champion hurdle on softer ground and Burdett Road is tailed off.
Both the front two today will be better in a Champion hurdle, but just like today, if they are both near their best then there's only one winner.
But she'd be second IMO.
8-1 each way is a steal, and if he gets another snotty nose you'll be laughing.

No shame to be outclassed by C Hill.