Irish Champion Hurdle 2012

2.30 Leopardstown

Bhp Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle (grade 1) (Class 1)  (4YO plus)

Winner €71,500

Advice (ante – post): 2.5 pts Hurricane Fly to win today and Champion Hurdle (5/2 Paddy Power, Stan James)

Hurricane Fly: Confirmed himself the best 2 miler around without question, winning 5 Grade 1’s in deeply impressive style, the culmination of that from a visual impression probably being his win at the Punchestown Festival; Been off for a long time but has won Grade 1’s on comeback from injury before and sets a clear standard if ready.

Oscars Well: Beginning to comeback to the form which saw him win 2 Grade 1 novice hurdles so impressively, improving markedly on early season form to come decent third behind Unaccompanied and Thousand Stars

Thousand Stars: Has been a revelation over past two seasons, filling the frame in plenty of Grade 1’s last season (best effort when only failing to catch Oscar Whiskey in Aintree Hurdle) and finally got a Grade 1 of his very own when winning the French Champion Hurdle; Handled Oscars Well with ease before being turned over here at Christmas, although one could argue that he didn’t have most made of stamina that day; No surprise to see him go better if sent from the front here.

Kalann: Ahead of Oscars Well the last time they met but significantly worse off now and outclassed here on these terms.

Unaccompanied: Impressive wins on first two starts before Triumph second/Punchestown disappointment (over the top); Impressive reappearance win followed by gutsy Triumph over Thousand Stars and Oscars Well at Christmas (superior flat speed); That makes her the main threat to Hurricane Fly today and not to be underestimated.

VERDICT: The biggest piece in the jigsaw for the Champion Hurdle as defending champion HURRICANE FLY makes his return to the racecourse, and it should be a winning one if his record fresh (4 out of 5 on his seasonal reappearance) is anything to go by. The value’s gone from him to win today, although a double on him to win today and at the Festival is 5/2, which seems worth taking. In terms of who presents the biggest threat, many see it to be Unaccompanied, but a more forceful ride could see things become very close between the two.