Neil Morrice, our man on the ground in the UK, brings you his preview on the Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (Race 4) on Day 1 of the 2019 Cheltenham Festival, Tuesday, March 12, 2019. Click here to bet now on this race with Hollywoodbets!
(Hold your phone horizontally (on its side) to view the full race information below)
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No
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Horse
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Odds
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Jockey
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Trainer
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1
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Brain Power (IRE)
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33/1
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Nico de Boinville
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Nicky Henderson
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2
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Buveur D’air (FR)
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10/4
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Barry Geraghty
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Nicky Henderson
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3
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Espoir D’allen (FR)
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16/1
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M. P. Walsh
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G.P. Cromwell
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4
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Global Citizen (IRE)
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50/1
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David Bass
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Ben Pauling
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5
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Melon
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16/1
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P. Townend
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W. P. Mullins
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6
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Sharjah (FR)
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16/1
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Mr P. W. Mullins
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W. P. Mullins
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7
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Silver Streak (IRE)
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80/1
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Adam Wedge
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Evan Williams
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8
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Apple’s Jade (FR)
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9/5
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J. W. Kennedy
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Gordon Elliott
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9
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Laurina (FR)
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10/3
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R. Walsh
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W. P. Mullins
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10
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Verdana Blue (IRE)
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33/1
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Davy Russell
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Nicky Henderson
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Hollywoodbets will be offering 3 fixed odds places.
Betting last updated on Tuesday 12th March 2019.
Betting is subject to change. E&OE.
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Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy Preview
Race 4 – 15:30
Tuesday 12th March 2019
Grade 1 – 2m 87y – £253,215
If reigning champion BUVEUR D’AIR is to become the sixth horse to land three runnings of this first day highlight he will need to be better than when getting the better of MELON by just a neck when starting 4-6 twelve months ago.
That is the message Nicky Henderson has made no bones about in assessments over his charge’s chances of seeing off an ultra strong Irish challenge from the mares APPLE’S JADE and LAURINA.
Buveur D’Air suffered a rare defeat at the hands of stablemate and reopposing VERDANA BLUE at Kempton in December when finding himself in front too soon.
Barry Geraghty’s mount has subsequently gained a silk smooth win in another trial at Sandown.
Apple’s Jade was a spectacular winner of the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown, humbling SUPASUNDAE any 16 lengths and gives Gordon Elliott a favourite’s chance of landing him a first Champion.
But then there is the imposing Laurina, for whom the forecast rain is a major plus. The six-year-old revels in the mud and has looked something special in landing both her starts this season on the bridle with head in chest. She could be the real deal and will surely be hard to beat granted ‘soft’ in the ground description ?
Melon enters the equation on his 2018 run in this but hasn’t looked the same horse since, while BRAIN POWER is a third string to Henderson’s bow and not one to dismiss lightly.
With his chasing exploits like Buveur D’Air’s a thing of the past, he impressed in the International Hurdle over this course and distance before Christmas since when his connections have intentionally ‘cotton wooled’ him to ensure he was fresh for this.
This is a race for the connoisseur in which reputations are there to be shot down but my verdict is for LAURINA to emerge as the new champion for Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh.
Neil Morrice’s Predicted Finish
9-2-1-8-5
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1st
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:
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9
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–
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Laurina (FR)
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2nd
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:
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2
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–
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Buveur D’air (FR)
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3rd
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:
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1
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–
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Brain Power (IRE)
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4th
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:
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8
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–
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Apple’s Jade (FR)
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5th
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:
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5
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–
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Melon
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View Neil Morrice’s previews for the following Cheltenham Festival Day 1 Races below:
Race 1 – Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
Race 2 – Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase
Race 3 – Ultima Handicap Chase
Race 4 – Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy
Race 5 – OLBG Mares’ Hurdle
Race 6 – Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase
Race 7 – National Hunt Challenge Cup
