Cheltenham Festival: Champion Hurdle betting preview

The Champion Hurdle is the race I look forward to more than any other at the meeting, however this year it’s not exciting me at all. There is a good field here but there are no standout performers and there is the possibility of a big upset happening.

If you had asked 100 racing fans at the start of the season who would start favourite for the Champion Hurdle not one of them would say Epatante. She won a handicap off a mark of 137 and then stepped up to Grade 1 company winning in good style. However, she bombed at this meeting last year in a less competitive race and I just can’t back her. She may prove me wrong, but I’m against her.

Pentland Hills has received more criticism that any other runner of the field this season and he looks very soft in a battle. However, he also jumps and travels with ease and I would expect nobody to be going better than Nico de Boinville two furlongs out. On soft ground will be battle to the line? This season suggests he won’t.

I love Supasudae (11/1 Bet365). Racing at the Festival for the sixth time, he’s won a Coral Cup, came second in a Stayers and ran credibly in one of the best Supreme Novices’ in recent memory. He’s fresh, been aimed at this all season, loves Cheltenham and will stay better than any of these. He’s a former Irish Champion Hurdle winner and in what looks a very below par renewal he is the each-way selection for me.