Jake Price previews the Welsh Champion Hurdle on 9th October at Chepstow.
Welsh Champion HurdleSee All Odds
I have to say I was quite surprised to see Le Beau Madrik and Wellington Arch both entered and then jocked up for the Welsh Champion Hurdle on Friday over two-miles rather than the Silver Trophy on Saturday over two-and-a-half, as they have both shown all of their best form over further. Whilst their target is not yet locked in I certainly wouldn't be afraid of taking them on, and CAPTAIN HUGO surely is the Horse who sets a fair standard over the minimum trip in this field, with plenty of improvement to come.
This Bumper winner got off to the perfect start over Hurdles last November on his seasonal debut, when he went to Newbury and beat Sinnatra (141), Storming George (144) and Klub Du Reve (132). That form looks fantastic now considering those Horses managed to win Grade 1 and Grade 2 races subsequently, but our selection wasn't done winning himself after that either.
A second to Taurus Bay (135) at Aintree was followed by a victory under a 6lbs penalty at Haydock in December, and he surely would have won the Scottish Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Musselburgh in February had he not fell at the third last, especially considering Mossy Fen Road was turned over. That fall did keep his official rating of 129 intact however, and connections decided to test that mark in the ever competitive Morebattle Handicap Hurdle at Kelso just 27 days later.
In hindsight I am not exactly sure why he was so overlooked in the market, as a progressive Novice making his Handicap debut is usually a very popular angle. Despite his SP of 14/1 however he travelled strongly through the race, and when asked for his effort he picked up generously to share a lead at the last with Serious Challenge (136), before showing a superior turn of foot to seal the deal. The margin of victory was only 0.75 lengths which helped to protect his mark as he only received a 6lbs rise in the weights, but I felt he was always just doing enough in victory.
Connections really fancied him in the Grade 2 Scottish Champion Hurdle to round off his season in April at Ayr, and once again he showed plenty of speed when travelling strongly into that contest. The problem however was that the ground unseasonably came up Heavy, and when Tutti Quanti came down at the penultimate flight he looked to be travelling best of all. The ground really did seem to blunt his speed in the closing stages however, and when he bungled the last it was game over - with Dedicated Hero (135) outstaying him all the way to the line. It was still a decent enough effort in second place, but most importantly his mark of 135 has not been altered for his troubles.
Having had another Summer to strengthen up and receive a well earned break following six runs in one campaign, I think we are going to see an even better version of CAPTAIN HUGO this season, and clearly the quicker ground at Chepstow is going to be a positive for him compared to Ayr. Philip Hobbs and Johnson White did a fantastic job with him during his Novice campaign but are rightfully giving him more time over Hurdles before attentions turn to Chasing, and this Chepstow prize looks an ideal starting point. Whilst the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham in November might be another race on the agenda, it will undoubtedly be more competitive than this, so I am sure he will be tuned up enough to do himself justice. Should he run well but shape like he will come on for the effort, then he would have to jump to the top of Greatwood shortlists.
