Hurricane best equipped to cope with tactical affair in Champion
Pride of place, obviously, has to go to Hurricane Fly, in the Grade 1 hurdle, who did us proud with that terrific display in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.
There may be only six runners, but it’s a smart contest, with Willie Mullins providing half of the field.
This may well develop into a real tactical battle, but that will hold no fears for Hurricane Fly. He’s done it all this season, from two to two and a half miles, in Ireland and England.
We know he stays really well, but the reason I’m not at all worried about tactics playing a major part is the fact Hurricane Fly is the fastest horse in the race.
So no matter what the pace of the race, my firm belief is that he will be best equipped to cope.
I was a big fan of Binocular’s, but thought he was disappointing at Aintree and do not buy into the notion he didn’t stay two and a half miles.
But Binocular was very good when winning the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham last year and the way he beat Overturn in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton was impressive.
I still have a lot of respect for Nicky Henderson’s horse and he will be a threat, if bringing his A-game to the table.
Menorah was also a bit disappointing when only fifth behind Hurricane Fly in the Champion Hurdle.
My gut instinct is that he is very decent, but just a few pounds below the standard required at this level.
Thousand Stars is an admirable horse, who has got better and better. But he is well held on Champion Hurdle running and seemed to relish two and a half miles when second to Oscar Whisky at Aintree.
I kick away with Uncle Junior in a handicap chase, one of four horses of Willie’s I could have ridden.
I’ve gone with Uncle Junior because he has hit form of late, winning at Gowran Park and Tramore.
I think he will stay the trip and is also capable of producing a nice turn of foot in the closing stages.
Some Target has run in the four-miler at Cheltenham and the Irish Grand National, so is hardly going to be the freshest in the field.
Pomme Tiepy has been running okay, but at the same not been setting the world on fire, while For The Staff is still a maiden over fences.
I had a choice of three of Willie’s in another handicap chase and this time came down on the side of the mare Blazing Tempo.
The seven-year-old has a grand weight to carry, 10-3, even if she is 3lbs out of the handicap.
Her form was probably a bit better in the earlier part of the season, although she ran solidly enough behind Noble Prince in the Jewson at Cheltenham.
Anyway, I think that whatever beats top weight, Wishfull Thinking, will win. He is a Graded horse contesting a handicap and I’ve won this twice in the past with top weights.
I know he was beaten by Noble Prince at Cheltenham, but was then most impressive at Aintree when bolting in.
That takes us onto the Champion Novice Hurdle, where I team up with So Young against First Lieutenant.
They clashed at Cheltenham, in the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle, and First Lieutenant emerged on top, beating Rock On Ruby by a short head.
I finished third on So Young and we have just shy of five lengths to make up. So Young was unlucky and I’m reasonably confident of reversing the placings.
He was slow two out and then we lost our position and had to challenge wide into the straight. Our fate was sealed when So Young got it wrong at the last.
We went some gallop from the third last and these are good horses. I just feel that, over this sharper track, So Young will outspeed his rival.
I end the programme as I began by having to choose between three of Willie’s in the winners’ of one hurdle.
I’ve gone with Sicilian Secret, having scored by nine lengths on him at Fairyhouse. He appreciated the good ground then and I just hope there isn’t much rain.
After a frustrating time that will have done his confidence a power of good and, in the right circumstances, has real prospects of backing it up.
