2017 Champion Hurdle Betting Preview PT 1
- By A.J. Ryder on January 24, 2017 03:40 GMT
The really big story during the build-up to the Cheltenham Festival seems to be where all the Rich Ricci horses are actually going to be placed and whether we will be subject to another high profile switcheroo as we get closer to festival time in March. The Champion Hurdle is probably the focal point of that drama since you'll find both Faugheen and Annie Power – two unabashed superstars – both in the mix for this one and battling it out at nearly identical prices tags across virtually all antepost markets.
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As it currently stands, you'll find that Faugheen has been given the edge by the bookmakers and you can see him priced as short as a 5/4 margin depending on whom you're wagering with.
He enters the raceboasting a pair of victories so far and that builds nicely on the momentum he had all through last year that was dashed when his perfect record was spoiled during his first effort of the 2016/17 National Hunt season when he was bested at Punchestown on November 15th in the Morgiana Hurdle.
He had been backed all the way down to a 1/6 margin and was bested by Nichols Canyon so you can assume that was all just a blip and he should come roaring back to form here. There was obviously a big statement made when he stormed home to capture the Christmas Hurdle on Boxing Day at Kempton when he got the better of The New One and three others who were brave enough to line up against him.
Sent off at a slim 1/4 on the day, he certainly didn't disappoint. He was able to build on that effort next time out when he took on four other contenders in the Grade 1 Irish Champion Hurdle when sent off at a 30/100 price tag at Leopardstown.
He won the race last year and certainly has the ability to do so again, but things get a bit complicated when you look at his entry list and you'll notice he's also co-entered in the stayers hurdle and he could be shifted there late if they see the odds on Annie Power drifting up significantly as we get closer to Cheltenham.
