Champion Hurdle

Back this Susannah Ricci Cheltenham Treble
+ All

Vauban – Best Price 10/1

There is no disguising how highly Susannah and Rich Ricci think of Vauban, who’s been targeted at the feature race on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival, the Champion Hurdle, ever since he landed the Triumph Hurdle last season and besides the front pair in the betting, he could easily hit the frame at large odds. 

The five-year-old was one of the best juveniles of last season and whilst he has work to do to reverse the form with State Man in just over a week’s time, it is possible his jumping will be more polished in a strongly-run two-mile championship race as well, as last time out in the Irish Champion Hurdle he raced too keenly and did a lot wrong in that steadily-run contest. 

State Man is one of my main fancies for this year’s Festival but I have also nominated Vauban as an each-way bet, as he looks just overpriced and will be seen in better light next week. He is a very good horse, who has plenty of improvement to come, and did well to finish virtually upsides Honeysuckle last time considering his jumping wasn’t perfect and how much energy he had wasted throughout.

While I am aware of juveniles often finding life difficult when making the transition into the senior league, his two efforts this season have been encouraging to say the least. If one or both of the market leaders surprisingly fail to fire for whatever reason, which is possible, I would be optimistic about him picking up the pieces. Even if that thought doesn’t materialise, the third spot is always up for grabs and he looks the candidate to make the frame. 

County Hurdle

Sharjah – Best Price 12/1

The McCoy Contractors County Handicap Hurdle has been a prosperous race for the Irish, who have dominated this highly-competitive contest over the last 16 years compared to the Brits, winning 11 of the last 16 renewals. In addition, Willie Mullins has won six of those, including with Wicklow Brave, Arctic Fire, Saint Roi and most recently, State Man.

This year, he could be represented with the high-class Sharjah, a dual Champion Hurdle runner-up with multiple Grade 1 wins to his name, who would bring a touch more than Mullins’ previous winners. This would be his first handicap start since winning the 2018 Galway Hurdle and a mark of 155 is fair based on his form overall, especially all of his Grade 1 achievements over the years. 

It’s not like he has majorly regressed this term either, as he wasn’t beaten far behind Fill Dor in the Grade 3 Red Mills Hurdle at Gowran Park when second and his chances were affected by the slow pace plus conditions weren’t in his favour as well. The final day at the Cheltenham Festival will more than likely be the better ground and he is seen at his best under these conditions. 

He has continuously been the bridesmaid at the Cheltenham Festival but if there’s ever a chance he can break his duck on the grandest stage, this is his best chance given he’s the class act in the field.

At an each-way, double-figure price, he is definitely worth an interest. I would highly recommend backing him NRNB just in case connections send him for the Champion Hurdle, so stakes would be returned.

Mares' Chase

Allegorie De Vassy - Best Price 13/8 

The best chance of the week for Susannah and Rich Ricci is probably Allegorie De Vassy in the Paddy Power Mares’ Chase, who enhanced her position as the ante-post favourite with an easy success at Thurles last time despite an early scare at the first fence. 

After joining Willie Mullins from France, she won twice over hurdles at Fairyhouse last season and the imposing six-year-old made a successful switch to fences in the Grade 2 McMahons Builders Providers Irish EBF Dawn Run Mares Novice Chase over the Christmas period. 

She then remained unbeaten over fences when last seen but her backers were worried for a moment briefly when Paul Townend (1/2 to win Top Jockey at Cheltenham) nearly came off the warm favourite after she over-jumped the first fence but she soon recovered, her rider regained his composure and her jumping improved significantly afterwards as the race warmed up.

She can’t afford to make that sort of mistake at Cheltenham but she’s clever, intelligent and her best days are ahead of her. She will arrive at Cheltenham fresh and the nature of the course at Prestbury Park should play to her strengths, as she has pace, gears and is held in high regard. She should be hard to beat.