Recent entries in Horse Racing
Ante-post betting for the 2010 Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham
Eoin Ryan / 28 January 2010 Free Bet View Market
Solwhit became the clear antepost Champion Hurdle favourite following his win at Leopardstown.
"Dunguib remains the potential fly in Solwhit’s ointment and now that Philip Fenton is refusing to rule out a tilt at the Champion Hurdle."
Solwhit re-enforced his Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle credentials with a stylish victory in the Irish equivalent at Leopardstown last Sunday and he now trades as the clear [5.80] favourite on Betfair's antepost market.
It was an impressive win in what was deep ground but the fact that Donnas Palm was able to get within 5 lengths of Charles Byrnes's horse will concern some. Sublimity ran an eye-catching race on ground way softer than he'd like - and the probability of better ground at Cheltenham in March makes him a live contender again this year. Certainly, at [24.0] on the exchange he is a value proposition.
The unbeaten Zaynar trades at [6.80] on Betfair and will go into the race as the main home-trained contender. Owned by a syndicated headed by Victor Chandler, he may well even start as favourite. His two wins this season have been impressive though the overall level of form he has shown in those wins still leaves him with something to find on the more seasoned Champion Hurdling stock.
Go Native has a £1M carrot dangling in front of him as a result of his bonus race wins so far this season and Noel Meade's 2009 festival winner is certain to make his presence felt here. Though I am certain nothing will be travelling as well as him a half a mile out, my concern is that the stiff uphill finish might undo him, as it nearly did last year when Medermit got to within half a length. Binocular has disappointed this season and is difficult to fancy with any great conviction.
Khyber Kim's win in the Boylesports International has seen his price contract into [13.00] but he's another who I simply can't have on my mind for a race of this quality; and Celestial Halo let the form down badly last weekend at Leopardstown.
Dunguib remains the potential fly in Solwhit's ointment and now that Philip Fenton is refusing to rule out a tilt at the Champion Hurdle, I expect his odds will shorten over the next few weeks, from his current offer of [28.00]. Some bookmakers have him chalked up at 4-1 'with a run'.
