Irish Champion Hurdle 2013

1.55 Leopardstown

BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) (Class 1)  (4YO plus)

Winner €71,500

Advice: 2 pts Hurricane Fly to win by 3-8 lengths (11/8 Skybet)

Binocular: Much vaunted 2010 Champion Hurdle winner who looked like he was approaching something like that form when winning Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton in good style last February; Only fourth in last year’s Champion Hurdle (behind Hurricane Fly by ¾ of a length) but given plenty to do on that occasion and still a player in that scene, for all that he’s not won on 4 seasonal debuts and is taking on Hurricane Fly on home ground; Viable betting ‘without option’ though if ground not a problem for him.

Captain Cee Bee: Veteran of the game now at 12 (beat Binocular in 2008 Supreme Novices Hurdle and then Grade 1 winner over fences as novice) and still retains good amount of that that ability judged on Tipperary Grade 2 but expecting him to be brushed aside today.

Hurricane Fly: Lost his title of Champion Hurdler at Cheltenham and felt slightly laboured at Punchestown afterwards but easy to forget he’s been beaten just twice in last three seasons; Many of the opinion that he was below best at Cheltenham for one reason or another and also that he looked to have best form back given way he jumped and travelled over Christmas, but should have won as he did that day; Should win again today on route to Champion Hurdle.

Thousand Stars: Remarkably consistent horse who won his third Grade 1 when winning French Champion Hurdle at Auteil (that having come after his close Aintree Hurdle second two runs previously, along with convincing trial win) but miles below that when fourth on return at Tipperary (might have needed run) although no better over Leopardstown at Christmas; Needs further nowdays.

One Cool Shabra: Racing for a potential share of fourth (around 3,000 euros) and no chance here.

VERDICT: Binocular is probably the strongest opposition HURRICANE FLY has had outside of the Cheltenham Festival, but he’s not won on his seasonal debut for four successive campaigns, hasn’t run on ground this soft, and is 0-2 in head to heads with the 2011 Champion. The 11/8 on Hurricane Fly winning by 3 to eight lengths, a winning distance he’s achieved in 5 of his hurdling wins, looks to be the best course of value. Binocular is a heavy favourite in the markets for second place but might be vulnerable even in that regard if Thousand Stars can find his best form.