Most of the prep runs have been had now so we can come up with some firm views about the Champion Hurdle.

Here is a look at how the main contenders fit the important Champion Hurdle stats:

Binocular

The hot favourite ticks plenty of boxes, most importantly having won his most recent start but it looks as though he will be going to the Festival off a break of 80 days which has never been done before. Those on at bigger prices may not worry too much but at the current prices it could pay to look elsewhere.

Osana

Didn’t win his last race, hasn’t won this season and has a relatively poor Cheltenham record (just one win in five). Also fails a number of preferable stats so best to look elsewhere.

Crack Away Jack

A win at last year’s Cheltenham Fesitval is in his favour but he finished fifth on his latest start and has not run since December. Needs a run and a win very soon if it is to be considered but that seems unlikely so give it a miss.

Celestial Halo

Won at last year’s Festival, won his most recent start, has a 100% Cheltenham record (one from one), has had it’s prep run within 51 days of the Champion Hurdle. At the moment it looks as though he will be heading to the Festival as the stats pick.

Katchit

Has not won this season and is going into the race with a long break (80 days) so from a stats perspective must be overlooked despite his great Cheltenham record).

Sublimity

Pretty much fails every stats category possible, the biggest stats lay at the Festival probably.

Ashkazar

Won his most recent start which puts him in the reckoning and the fact it was in the Kingwell Hurdle is a positive. He has a good Cheltenham Festival run under his belt (2nd in last year’s Fred Winter)and has won half his starts this year. Ticks all the must have boxes and goes there with a good chance.

Verdict

It seems as though the five year olds could dominate this year with all of the older horses facing severe question marks.

The two that seem best on the stats are Celestial Halo and Ashkazar. We give slight preference to Celestial Halo as he already has a Cheltenham Festival win to his name.

Binocular and Katchit have plenty of positives but a couple of strong negatives and whilst neither will uphold the stats if they win, they will probably still put in a good run.

1. Celestial Halo
2. Ashkazar

Let us know your thoughts, are we right to say Binocular is worth a miss at the current price or is it the banker of the Festival?

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