Scottish Champion Hurdle 2014

2.40 Ayr

QTS Scottish Champion Hurdle (Grade 2 Limited Handicap) (Class 1)  (4YO plus)

Winner £39,865

Advice: 1 pt each/way Court Minstrel (8/1 general)

My Tent Or Yours: Been one of the best hurdlers in the country, a deeply impressive winner of Fighting Fifth Hurdle before finding enough to beat The New One (last flight mistake helped his cause) in Christmas Hurdle and after flat preparation, ran a screamer to finish second in the Champion Hurdle to Jezki; Possible that pulling and losing first run on winner cost him that day so effect of hood fascinating and the class act in the race; More than capable of carrying this weight.

Court Minstrel: Came to the front cruising before running out an easy winner last year and had been looking for same conditions since until landing the conditionals handicap hurdle at Aintree last week, travelling comfortable before finding plenty when let down; No reason why he can’t go close under 5lbs penalty today in bid to retain his title.

Flaxen Flare: Become a well rounded and consistent handicapper who has arguably been the most consistent horse in major handicaps of the season, fourth in Greatwood, third in Ladbrokes, second in Boylesports.com handicap hurdle and then fifth in the County; Now reason why he can’t go close one again today.

Cotton Mill: On an extremely generous mark if he shows the ability that saw him lead the Neptune field until running out and then finish second in the Betfair Hurdle to My Tent or Yours last February; Not shown that same form since however although he was going well until tank emptied in Coral Cup latest; Not as much competition today and 2m of Ayr could be his thing although still something to prove.

Montbazon: Made into a quality novice hurdler before injury stuck but retains large amount of that ability based on third in Country Hurdle latest and school of thinking that this track might actually suit better given how he’s faded late at the Festival twice; 8lbs higher here but County form seems deserving of that rise and major player here today.

Clever Cookie: Winner of 5 of his seven starts, taking a hat-trick in fine style over hurdles, winning Grade 2 novice by eight lengths after impressive handicap win; This different ground the possible concern as two defeats have been on good going but progressed hand over first since and can be involved.

Cockney Sparrow: Won here on the flat in September and taken form to different level hurdles, second to My Tent or Yours in Fighting Fifth; Not at peak form at Doncaster when falling behind Annie Power but looked as if 2m4f too far when fifth in Mares Hurdle at the Festival and now drops back with 7lbs being taken off by Dean Pratt; Deserves close consideration.

Ifandbutwhynot: Possible to forgive form of his last two runs, with graded company and the ground possibly doing for him at Haydock and Coral Cup too far, but earlier win at Newbury possibly more like it; Even then, looked held off mark of 139 at Musselbrugh and work to do.

Swing Bowler: Third behind My Tent or Yours in last year’s Betfair Hurdle but since disappointing, nowhere at the Festival and then failing to make an impact in Imperial Cup; 9lbs out of handicap even if she was to get back to something like her best.

Silk Hall: Third in this last year and since won Grade 3 over hurdles to his credit but 15lbs higher in handicap and this contest of a different class.

Barizan: Tenth on stable debut possibly not that bad an effort considering that he was hampered before last and made some late headway of sorts and could begin to relive former glories but 12lbs out of handicap and others seem more ready to strike today.

VERDICT: One of the best handicaps of the season and one of the best renewals of this race for a long time. My Tent Or Yours is the class act and feature attraction of the field who should win regardless of how a hood improved his notable keenness – he has seen out all his races this season in excellent style – but his presence here makes for a wonderful betting contest and last year’s winner COURT MINSTREL, who is presented with his ground and track for just the second time this season, can go close to retaining his title. Montbazon and Flaxen Flare have obvious chances, while the progressive Clever Cookie is not one to rule out, but back to 2 miles with Dean Pratt taking off 7lbs, Cockney Sparrow could go very close.