The chief protagonists have all stood their ground in one of the most anticipated runnings of the Champion Hurdle for quite some time as Hurricane Fly attempts to retain his title for the third time writes BETDAQ’s JOHN SHERIDAN.
The dual winner faces stiff opposition in his fourth trip to Cheltenham with young pretenders The New One, Our Conor, My Tent Or Yours and Jezki looking like the main dangers. As expected Willie Mullins did not declare Annie Power and Thousand Stars who go for the World Hurdle, while his other entrant Un De Sceaux misses the Festival altogether. Captain Cee Bee, Grumeti, Melodic Rendevous and Petit Zig complete the 9 horse line-up.
While Hurricane Fly is bidding for a third win in the race, The New One is the slight favourite on BETDAQ this morning.
History seeking mare Quevega (right) heads a field of 16 for the Mares Hurdle as she bids for a sixth consecutive win at the Cheltenham Festival. A sixth win would break the long standing record held by Golden Miller who won five Gold Cups between 1932 and 1936. Quevega is currently as short as 1.88 on the BETDAQ Exchanges to create history tomorrow.
The opening race of the Festival, the Supreme Novices Hurdle, sees 18 horses go to post with the long time favourite, Irving heading the field.
Willie Mullins’s huge team going to the Festival starts in the Supreme with three runners, headed by the Ruby Walsh ridden, Vautour who is the current second favourite.
The Arkle Chase over two miles has 9 declared including former Champion Hurdler Rock on Ruby while Mullins send Champagne Fever in his bid for a third consective win at the Cheltenham Festival having won the Champion Bumper and Supreme Novice Hurdle the last two years.
Trifolium, the winner of the Irish equivalent at Leopardstown also takes his place in the field while fellow Irish contender Ted Veale has been put nominated for the race by Tony Martin as opposed to the Grand Annual on Friday. Grandouet, Dodging Bullets, Valdez, Brick Red and Western Warhorse are also engaged.
The Amateurs get their first taste of the Cheltenham Festival at 4.40 in the Terry Biddlecombe National Hunt Chase over four miles. While in the two Handicap Chases at 2.40, the Bayliss & Harding Affordable Luxury Handicap Chase, and 5.15, the Rewards4Racing Novice’s Handicap Chase have fields of 24 and 20 respectively.
The opening day of the 2014 Cheltenham Festival is almost here and it should be a memorable day at the races.
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