Christmas Hurdle 2013

2.35 Kempton

williamhill.com Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1) (Class 1)  (4YO plus)

Winner £56,950

Ante Post: 1 pt each/way The New One (8/1 general) & MyTent or Yours, 2014 Champion Hurdle, (10/1 Hills, Wendesday 20thMarch)

Chapel House: Hopeless task in such company but connections have been smart enough to get decent prizemoney.

Duke of Navan: Improved hand over first switched to hurdles last year, winning three from four including decent 4 runner listed contest; Well behind My Tent Or Yours in Newcastle’s Fighting Fifth latest though and looked out of depth when only sixth there.

Grumeti: Very smart juvenile hurdler in 2011/12 when he won Aintree Grade 1 after Triumph third, reversing form with Triumph principals; Short spell on flat before injury kept him off track until fourth in Scottish Champion Hurdle; Recent return a good return when third behind My Tent or Yours at Newcastle and can come forward even if a form reversal looks unlikely.

My Tent Or Yours: Top novice over 2m last year, turning Betfair hurdle into a procession despite hard pulling and pulling clear from top novice Jezki in Supreme Novice Hurdle despite being outstayed by Champagne Fever at the Festival (won easily at Aintree as well); Return in Fighting Fifth was as smooth as one would have liked and sets him up perfectly for blockbuster clash around track tailor made for him.

Sametegal: Developed into a very smart juvenile hurdler, although a long way behind what’s required here based on his well beaten Triumph third; Improved from that still when second in Greatwood Hurdle latest but this looks too tough still.

The New One: Marked himself down as one of Britain’s top hurdlers with storming Npetune win and made step upto top level company on next start when just beaten in Aintree Hurdle; Step back to 2 miles been right up his street, trashing Rock on Ruby over C&D before reversing form with Zarkandar in emphatic style lastest; Could have yet more to give and potentially the most tactically versatile in this field so plenty to like about his chances in what looks a virtual match.

VERDICT: With the two best hurdlers in Britain going head to head this is arguably the race of the Christmas period. There are too many variables to be betting confidently on either The New One or MY TENT OR YOURS, who readers will have backed for the Champion Hurdle already, but Kempton will allow the Henderson charge to show his best speed and that may give him the key edge here.