Champion Hurdle Tuesday 14th March 2017

Champion Hurdle Tuesday 14th March 2017

FSFs (Form & Speed Figure)

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This year’s market is headed by FAUGHEEN and ANNIE POWER. Both have been subject of varying reports since the start of the season. FAUGHEEN last seen at Leopardstown In January 2016 when running away with the Irish Champion Hurdle. He subsequently injured a suspensory which side-lined him for the remainder of the season. Mr Mullins suggested the Irish Champion Hurdle, run this month at Leopardstown, would be the last realistic chance to run him before the Festival. One assumes he wishes to give him as long as possible to recover, as a race any closer would bring the “Bounce Factor” into play. ANNIE POWER stepped into the role of “Supersub” in 2016 to make all for a famous victory. A mare that has always been happiest in the spring, she too needs to find a race prior to Cheltenham. Mr Mullins suggested there are two options and one hopes we see on the track later this month. A slight concern for punters would be her price of around 11/2 in Betfair as I write. The unknown is if either or both can return in similar form top that last seen on the track. YANWORTH reverted back to two-miles at Kempton Park, a track that would not play to his strengths. Whilst he finished strongly to catch and pass The New One, his jumping was, on several occasions, clumsy, something that may prove costly at Cheltenham. However, his RPR was just 3lb and 5lb below the figures FAUGHEEN achieved in 2014 and 2015. Given the superiority FAUGHEEN went on to show at Cheltenham, raises hopes Yanworth can emulate his achievements. A potential clash with the fast improving BRAIN POWER at Sandown Park should clear some of the fog surrounding the race. The latter improved his Sandown Park win when bolting up in a competitive handicap at Ascot. One slight concern is his improved form, and all four hurdle wins, have come on right-handed tracks. Having looked likely to win the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle before he crashed out, PETIT MOUCHOIR bounced back to land the Grade One Ryanair Hurdle at Leopardstown. There appeared to be no fluke about the win and it is hard see anything behind him reversing form, should they meet again. VROUM VROUM MAG is an admirable mare over hurdles and fences. Her overall profile suggests she is at her best over distances further than two-miles. SCEAU ROYAL’s progress stuttered in the Fighting Fifth. He appears best when fresh and should improve in the spring. However it is notoriously difficult for second season hurdlers to win this race with Katchit (Also trained by Alan King), in 2008, the last. APPLE’S JADE has much the same chance as VROUM VROUM MAG on form. She is another likely to flourish in the spring though she too represents the second season hurdlers. NICHOLS CANYON and THE NEW ONE look likely run over further. However, neither convinces as three-milers on form or breeding. The Ryanair Chase was introduced for similar types over fences. One wonders why the powers that compile the programme at Cheltenham, have so far failed to stage a Grade One Hurdle over an intermediate distance. IRVING is very good when on song; however, his best RPR’s have come on flat tracks. HEARTBREAK CITY and WICKLOW BRAVE have both improved considerably on the flat. A transfer of that form to hurdles, particularly with the former, would add some spice to race. IVANOVICH GORBATOV, MY TENT OR YOURS and ARCTIC FIRE look vulnerable while recent handicap winner SUPERB STORY is another “Improver” with around a stone to find on FSF’s. MOON RACER is reported as a “Possible” runner. Expected to have a run prior to the Festival, his FSF of 135 leaves him with a mountain to climb. L’AMI SERGE does not look the heartiest of battlers while stablechum BUVEUR D’AIR gets low enough over his fences to suggest a return to hurdles would not prove an inconvenience. CAMPEADOR could improve into a candidate if taking a valuable handicap. Following Cheltenham 2016, ALTIOR‘s Hurdle FSF stood at 162. Novices normally improve around 7lb into the next season. One wonders, given the doubts surrounding the market leaders, whether connections will regret their decision to go novice chasing. Time will tell.

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