Betfair make Hurricane Fly their 11-4 favourite for next month’s Stan James Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival on March 11, after he featured among 11 possibilities for the opening day highlight released today.
A dual winner of the Grade One contest has accounted for both Our Conor, 5-1 and Jezki, 12-1 with success in the Ryanair Hurdle and most recently a gutsy victory in the Irish Champion Hurdle, both at Leopardstown.
The Nigel Twiston Davies trained The New One is the current second favourite at odds of 10-3, having run out an impressive winner of the Neptune Novices’ Hurdle at last year’s festival and further enhanced his reputation by landing the International Hurdle in December.
Last season’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle second, My Tent Or Yours, is a 9-2 chance having most recently come out on top in match up against The New One in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.
The exciting Annie Power is a 7-1 chance, although the unbeaten mare has a number of options.
Betfair Spokesman Barry Orr commented today: “Hurricane Fly, even at the age of 10, is the one they all have to beat but the young guns are snapping at his heels and in what is probably the most competitive Champion Hurdle in recent years he will have to be at his very best to retain his crown.”
Champion Hurdle – Betfair Sportsbook: 11-4 Hurricane Fly, 10-3 The New One, 9-2 My Tent Or Yours, 5-1 Our Conor, 7-1 Annie Power, 12-1 Jezki, Un De Sceaux, 25-1 Melodic Rendezvous, 50-1 Thousand Stars, 66-1 Pitt Zig, 100-1 Grumeti
*Each Way 1/4 Odds first 3 places