Two Champion Hurdle candidates starred at the weekend with The New One winning the inaugural Betfair Price Rush Hurdle for the Twiston-Davies' at Haydock, whilst Faugheen was flawless under Ruby Walsh at Ascot. Trainer Willie Mullins was winning the latter for a second successive year after Annie Power's struck for connections last term.
The 5-y-o blitzed his rivals in the Neptune Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival last year and has been cut to 2/1 favourite with BetVictor to taste further success in the Champion Hurdle on the opening day of the festival in March. The New One was similarly clipped into 7/2 (from 4s) second favourite with Jessica Harrington's current champion Jezki 7/1 to successfully defend his crown, presumably with AP McCoy replacing Barry Geraghty in the plate.
Faugheen was one of three winners for Ruby Walsh, who teamed up with former boss Paul Nicholls guiding Al Ferof to win a second straight Amlin Chase with the minimum of fuss. It was a red letter day for the Ditcheat handler who had Silviniaco Conti win the G1 Betfair Chase at Haydock and both were cut for King George success at Kempton Park on Boxing Day; 10/1 (from 20s) and 3/1 (from 8s) favourite with BetVictor respectively.
Jump racing this afternoon comes from Ludlow and Kempton with West Wizard (12.35) seeking redemption at the latter, after being turned on at odds-on in the corresponding 2m novices' hurdle last year. The winner (Sgt Reckless) proved to be very smart himself however and far from disgraced in a brace of G1 Novices' Hurdles in the spring. The whispers from Seven barrows made the 6-y-o out to be a potential superstar and he can get his career back on track with a relatively smooth success. Barry Geraghty rides and a smooth, comfortable success can see his odds for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle tumble from the current price of 16/1 with BetVictor.
Henderson and Geraghty can double up with River Maigue (1.05) making his debut over fences in the Beginners' Chase over the minimum trip. The 7-y-o hasn't been seen since being pulled up at the track last season however boasts an excellent record fresh and has winning course and distance form when successful in the opener on King George day two season back.
Polly Peachum will be a skinny price to land the same combo a treble on the card in the features Mares Listed Hurdle over three miles however after her excellent weight carrying performance last time out at Wincanton; she is overlooked for Carole's Spirit (2.10) for Robert Walford and Daryl Jacob. The selection capped-off an excellent campaign last year finishing second to Highland Retreat at Ascot and improved with each of her four starts over timber. The 6-y-o has to give the Henderson mare 4lb however is taken to out-stay her main rival, fancied to thrive over the extended three miles trip.
As well as having a hatful of runners at Kempton Seven Barrows also send runners to Ludlow, where Tistory (1.20) is another exciting prospect being sent over fences. The 7-y-o is a half-brother to G1-winning hurdler Punchestown and boasts an excellent record fresh and successful first time out at the track winning a bumper impressively two seasons back. The selection won a brace of novices' hurdles at Towcester and Doncaster last term and looks the quintessential chaser in the making.
Horsehill (1.50) won a point-to-point in his native Ireland and is a fascinating runner on his British debut in the Novice's Hurdle over an extended two and a half miles. The Oliver Sherwood yard enjoyed plenty of success last week with Deputy Dan and Puffin Billy impressive wins and the 5-y-o son of Flemensfirth appears to have leading claims under stable jockey Leighton Aspell.
Buddy Love (2.55) improved for the adaption of front-running tactics last week at Leicester winning by 19l and likely to go in again under a 7lb penalty this afternoon. Conditional jockey Ryan Bargary rides and is excellent value for his 10lb claim.
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