Cheltenham: Champion Hurdle

The day we have all been waiting for has finally arrived- the Cheltenham Festival starts today. With the improved weather of the past few days the going is good to soft, good in places and, with no rain expected, will probably dry our further during the week. There is a wonderful card today and this meeting is undoubtedly the highlight of the year for most racing fans.From the bettinhg point of view, it is extremely challenging and very difficult - favlourites have a very poor record here, and many horses have obviously been specially prepared for months so that recent form- especially on the heavy ground we have had all winter - is best ignored. Today´s main feature is the Champion Hurdle at 16.20 CET and although the field is smaller than usual, it is an extremely high class renewal. Like many of the championship races this week, the big question here is whether the old champ can hold off the young challengers? The old one here is the admrable Hurricane Fly (Willie Mulloins/ Rjuby Walsh), winner in 2011 and 2013 and now 10 years old. We do not see his age as a problem as he has been as good as ever this season. He has only lost one race in the past 4 years - and that was in this race here in 2012, when he was out of form.

The yloung challengers are My temnt or Yours (Nicky Henderson/ Tony McCoy) and The New One (Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies) from England and Jezki (Jessica Harrington/ Barry Geraghty) and Our Conor (Dessie Hughes/ Danny Mullins) from his native Ireland. Both My Tent or Yours and Jezki are owned by JP McManus, who also has Captain Cee Bee (Eddie Harty/ Mark Walsh) in as a pacemaker. Hurrricane Fly has already beaten Jezki, Our Conor and Captain Cee Bee twice this season and we see no reason why he should not do so again, although connections of Our Conor in particular seem very confident; his trainer knows how to win here and we have not forgotten his excellent performance in last year´s Triumph Hurdle over this CD.

However the two British hopes look more dangerous. They met in the Christmas Hurdle at kempton where My tent or Ylours was a narrowe winner; however The New One - a winner 4 times here- would probably have won but for a mistake at the last and he could be the greatest threat. although the drying ground should certainly help McCoy´s mount, and last week´s slight problem should not be a worry.´

However the one to beat is clearly Hurricane Fly, he has already won 19 Group Ones (a world record) and can make it no.20 today.