State Man is the huge favourite to win the Champion Hurdle in the absence of Constitution Hill.
We now know that Constitution Hill will not defend his Champion Hurdle crown at next week's Cheltenham Festival after failing to recover from significant mucus' in his airway.
We asked oddschecker tipster Steve Ryder last week for his take on the Champion Hurdle betting landscape should Nicky Henderson's star hurdler not be ready in time.
He argued that even without Constitution Hill the likes of Not So Sleepy, Luccia and Pied Piper (all between 12/1 and 16/1 for the race) remain very unlikely winners of the race against eight-time Grade 1 winner State Man (now as short as 1/3 for the race – an implied 75% chance).
Instead he was more to the now third favourite in the field (5/1 on William Hill), saying:
"The one horse who I feel would be interesting against State Man would be Irish Point who is now likely to run here rather than joining stablemate Teahupoo in the Stayers’ Hurdle.
"Despite having 11lbs to find on official ratings with State Man, he has looked extremely progressive since the spring with victories at Aintree in the Grade 1 Mersey Novices’ Hurdle and in the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle."
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Champion Hurdle Betting Odds
| Runner | Best Price | Worst Price |
|---|---|---|
| State Man | 2/5 | 1/3 |
| Lossiemouth | 4/1 | 5/2 |
| Irish Point | 5/1 | 7/2 |
| Not So Sleepy | 14/1 | 10/1 |
| Pied Piper | 16/1 | 12/1 |
