State Man is set to face seven rivals in the Champion Hurdle as last year’s runner-up attempts to make the most of Constitution Hill’s absence.
Ireland’s leading hurdler is the odds-on favourite with Paddy Power to add the championship race to the plethora of Grade 1s on his CV and he is well clear of the field on ratings.
Irish Point has emerged as the principal opposition after being rerouted from the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle by trainer Gordon Elliott in the wake of Constitution Hill’s failure to line up and while the Champion Hurdle represents a significant drop in trip from winning the Jack de Bromhead Christmas Hurdle in December, he has form over all sorts of distances.
In lieu of Constitution Hill, Nicky Henderson turns to Betfair Hurdle hero Iberico Lord and Luccia but the British charge is headed by veteran Not So Sleepy, who won this season’s Fighting Fifth.
Colonel Mustard, Nemean Lion and Zarak The Brave complete the field of eight for Tuesday’s 15:30 and ensure at least three places for each-way punters.
The latest Champion Hurdle odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
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Champion Hurdle verdict
Timeform: STATE MAN’s only defeat over hurdles in the last 2 years came at the hands of Constitution Hill in this race last season and in the absence of that outstanding rival he’s fully expected to make it 11 career wins. Irish Point’s Grade 1 success at Leopardstown over Christmas came at just short of 3m but he was speedy enough to win a Grade 3 over just in excess of 2m on his reappearance and can give the selection most to do ahead of Kingwell winner Nemean Lion.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Champion Hurdle runners and riders
The following horses have been declared for the Champion Hurdle 2024.
Colonel Mustard
Trainer: Mrs Lorna Fowler Jockey: J. J. Slevin Age: 9 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Good effort back hurdling when 1½ lengths second of 5 to Nemean Lion in Kingwell at Wincanton last month but received 3 lb from his reopposing rival on that occasion so there’s no reason why he’ll turn the tables. Blinkered first time.
**
Iberico Lord
Trainer: Nicky Henderson Jockey: Nico de Boinville Age: 6 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Good winner of the Greatwood over C&D on his reappearance in November and shrugged off a lesser run behind stablemate Luccia at Ascot in December when bagging another big handicap win in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury (2m, soft) last month. Capable of even better. Supplemented for £18,000 last week.
***
Irish Point
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: J. W. Kennedy Age: 6 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Wrapped up his novice hurdle campaign with a 2½m Grade 1 success at Aintree. A second Grade 1 win came over just short of 3m at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting but his Down Royal reappearance success prior to that came over 17f so he isn’t short of speed. Can follow State Man home.
****
Nemean Lion
Trainer: Kerry Lee Jockey: Richard Patrick Age: 7 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Took his form up another notch when landing the second Grade 2 success of his career in the Kingwell at Wincanton last month, giving weight and a beating to Colonel Mustard. More will be needed to seriously trouble State Man but this likeable type should give another good account.
***
Not So Sleepy
Trainer: Hughie Morrison Jockey: Sean Bowen Age: 12 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Now a 12-y-o but he was better than ever at the end of 2023, winning a Flat handicap at Newbury in September and the rearranged Fighting Fifth at Sandown (2m, heavy) in December. Fifth in the last 3 running of this race but he might go a place or two better this time.
***
State Man
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: P. Townend Age: 7 Weight: 11st 10lbs
No match for Constitution Hill in this race last season but that’s his only defeat in his last 11 starts, gaining second successive wins in Grade 1 Morgiana, Matheson and Irish Champion this winter. Can’t be opposed.
*****
Zarak The Brave
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: Daryl Jacob Age: 5 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Really smart effort to win the Galway Hurdle in August. Pulled up in Tipperary Grade 3 in October but back on track with small-field Grade 3 success at Naas in January. More needed.
***
Luccia
Trainer: Nicky Henderson Jockey: James Bowen Age: 6 Weight: 11st 3lbs
Useful hurdler who resumed winning ways in valuable Betfair Exchange Trophy (Handicap) at Ascot (2m, good) just before Christmas. Her strong-travelling style provides some hope she can cope stepping up significantly in class but she’ll need a career best to reach the frame.
**
Cheltenham Day 1 Tips
- Matt Chapman’s Cheltenham tips for Tuesday at the Festival
- Cheltenham day one tips from Mick Fitzgerald for Tuesday’s races
- Ruby Walsh’s Cheltenham tips for every race on Tuesday
- Paddy Power’s epic Tuesday cheat sheet of Cheltenham tips for day one
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