Champion Hurdle tips, odds, runners and prediction
Runners guide and betting tips for the 2024 Champion Hurdle, the feature race on the first day of the Cheltenham
The feature race on Day 1 at the Cheltenham Festival is the Unibet Champion Hurdle and it is a race that has been at the forefront of the media in recent weeks.
With potential hurdling great Constitution Hill only seen once so far this season, many racing fans were getting irritated at his lack of racing. On top of that, a dirty scope after a below par workout at Kempton has now seen him ruled out from the race with last year’s 2nd State Man assuming heavy favouritism for the race.
His withdrawal has seen the race become more competitive with Iberico Lord supplemented for Nicky Henderson and Irish Point defecting from a run in the Stayers’ Hurdle. Nicky Henderson now runs two in the race in an attempt to wrestle back a crown that looked certain to be his.
Champion Hurdle Runners Guide
A closer look at five of the leading runners for the Champion Hurdle.
State Man
Many thought that State Man was in with a chance before Constitution Hill’s withdrawal. Now with Henderson’s star gone he arguably looks a certainty. Indeed, hE seems to have improved since his 2nd in the race last year where he was a comprehensive nine lengths behind Constitution Hill.
His three runs this year have seen him collect three Grade 1’s in a more professional and authoritative fashion than before. His rating has gone up 3lb to 169 and those at Closutton feel he wasn’t completely himself in the race last year.
Now he is 10lbs ahead of another runner with his nearest rival on ratings Irish Point (159) arguably best over further than this. A course winner already and the Mullins camp operative at over 50%, he looks to have everything you’d want in an odds-on shot.
Irish Point
As previously mentioned, Robcour’s Irish Point was due to run with his stablemate Teahupoo in Thursday’s Stayers Hurdle. However, Constitution Hill’s defection coupled with a large amount of rainfall around Prestbury Park has led connections to switch to Tuesday’s feature instead.
Having swerved Cheltenham last year, the son of Joshua Tree won the Grade 1 Mersey at Aintree and has continued his progression this season. Indeed he beat Mares’ Novice’ Hurdle 3rd Magical Zoe after giving her 13lb and won the 3 mile Grade 1 hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas by 11 lengths.
He is a year younger than State Man and is open to a lot more progression; however, he only won at Grade 1 level when upped to 2m 4f and then 3 miles this season and the drop back in trip doesn’t look sure to suit especially when he needs to find 10lbs in the ratings.
Iberico Lord
Nicky Henderson and J.P. McManus are no stranger to Champion Hurdle success with Buveur D’Air, Epatante and Binocular all winning the race for them recently. This year they have decided to supplement Iberico Lord after his two wins in the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle and the Betfair.
Those wins are major handicap wins in their own right and he was greatly fancied for Friday’s County too. However, Constitution Hill’s defection has meant that he could easily make the frame now and with his preference for soft ground more likely to be met earlier in the week, he now lines up here.
The state of the ground will be key to him after his two runs on good ground have seen him beaten a combined 37 lengths. This is compared to form of 1F1211 on soft. Nevertheless, although he could run on into a place, he has 26lb to find with a horse that made a mockery of the 2022 County field.
Zarak the Brave
When Zarak The Brave got turned over at 5/4 as a juvenile at Fairyhouse, many thought he would fade into the background. However, his conqueror Lossiemouth went on to win the Triumph Hurdle to paint his defeat in a far kinder light and he subsequently got much closer to the mare in the Grade 1 at Punchestown.
He went on to win the Galway Hurdle that summer beating the likes of My Mate Mozzie and Filey Bay and he has since beat Mares’ Hurdle hopeful Telmesomethinggirl in a Grade 3 at Naas to earn a rating of 152.
He’s the only five-year-old in the field and is clearly improving which is hard to put a number on. He could easily run into the frame for Mullins but he will have to improve a considerable amount to worry the favourite.
Luccia
Luccia has a similar profile to Champion Hurdle winner Epatante who was also trained by Nicky Henderson. Both were sent off well backed favourites in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle and both disappointed. Epatante then won a Listed Handicap Hurdle whereas last time out Luccia won a Grade 3 Handicap Hurdle.
She hasn’t been seen since, however, but the 2nd placed Impose Toi was a strong 3rd in the Lanzarote to give the form a boost. Although Iberico Lord was a well beaten 7th that day, the good ground didn’t help him and although it would be surprising for Luccia to turn the form around with him when looking at their Greatwood positions, there is a 17lb swing with the gelding from that day so one shouldn’t write her off.
Champion Hurdle Prediction
State Man is the most assured odds-on shot of the week. Everything that speaks for him is factual rather than preview circuit hype and it would be a genuine shock for him to be beaten. Irish Point isn’t the same horse over this trip and I don’t think he will get 2nd with Luccia fancied for that spot. Colonel Mustard can complete the tricast.
State Man
Luccia
Colonel Mustard
Champion Hurdle Tips
1pt Win Luccia w/o State Man
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