Cheltenham Champion Hurdle Preview
Not too many sleeps to go now for racing fans, as the calendar continues to tick down towards the magical four days in March that represent the latest edition of the Cheltenham Festival. Kicking off on Tuesday 14th of March, and running through to Friday the 17th, the Prestbury Park event showcases the very best that the sport has to offer.
Each of the four days boasts a star attraction, and on Tuesday, it is the cream of the speedy hurdlers who take centre stage, as the runners and riders line up for the 2023 renewal of the Champion Hurdle. But who will join the pantheon of greats to have claimed this famous trophy in the past?
The Hot Favourite: Constitution Hill 1/3
Of the four championship-level contests of the week, it is the Champion Hurdle which boasts by far the warmest favourite in the shape of the Nicky Henderson-trained superstar, Constitution Hill. Variously labelled a freak of nature and a different species, this six-year-old son of Blue Bresil has at times looked on a different planet to his rivals.
Five starts over obstacles have yielded five successes, with the combined winning margins of those contests coming in at a yawning 77 lengths. Concerningly for his rivals, the biggest of those winning distances came at last year's Cheltenham Festival, when the mount of Nico De Boinville destroyed the Supreme Novices' Hurdle field by a ridiculous 22 lengths. Looking as well as ever in winning his two starts so far this season – both at Grade 1 level – if he is in anything like top form, he will likely take some stopping.
The Main Challenger: State Man 11/4
As good as Constitution Hill looks, all racing fans will no doubt be well aware that there is no such thing as a certainty. In the Sport of Kings, form can – and frequently does – go out of the window, even at the biggest meetings of all. If, for whatever reason, Constitution Hill underperforms, then the horse most likely to take advantage would look to be the Willie Mullins-trained State Man.
This one boasts Cheltenham Festival form of his own, having landed something of a gamble to win the County Hurdle at this meeting 12 months ago. Since then, he has taken his form way beyond the level of a handicapper to win four Grade 1’s on the bounce, including the Irish Champion Hurdle last time out. Looking to be still improving, he may at least give the favourite something to think about.
The Lively Outsider: I Like To Move It 16/1
There’s a big gap back to the rest of the runners in terms of the odds, with another of the Willie Mullins runners, Vauban, the only other horse available at a single-figure price. Last year’s Triumph Hurdle winner merits plenty of respect but, of the outsiders, the one I like best is the Nigel Twiston-Davies trained, I Like To Move It.
Another of the six-year-olds in the line-up, this one can throw in the odd poor display, but significantly does seem to like it around this track. His form figures over this trip on the old course read a perfect three from three, including an impressive success in the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle. He also arrives on the back of what looked a big career best when slamming the field in the Grade 2 Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton, suggesting he may be finding his best form at just the right time for this. It’s tough to see him troubling Constitution Hill, but he looks decent value to hit the frame.
Race Prediction
- 1st - Constitution Hill
- 2nd - State Man
- 3rd - I Like To Move It
All prices quoted are with William Hill
Related Articles
Cheltenham Queen Mother Champion Chase Preview
Cheltenham Festival 155/1 Acca
Top 20 Betting Offers
|
New cust. Deposit £10+ in 7 days & bet on sports. Min odds apply. Reward = 4 x £10 Free Bets (2 x £10 Bet Builders & 2 x £10 Sports bet). Valid 7 days. Free bets not valid on e-sports & non UK/IE horse racing. 18+. T&Cs apply. |
|||||
|
New customers online only. Eligibility restrictions apply. Only valid with code B10G40 on registration. £10 min qualifying bet at 1/1 (2.0) odds or greater across sports or racing (if EW then min £10 Win + £10 Place). Receive £20 Tote Credit, £10 Free Sports Bet and 50 Free Spins on a selected game within 48 hours of qualifying bet settlement. 7-day expiry on free bets & Tote Credit. Your first bet will be your qualifying bet. One per customer. UK & ROI customers only. 18+. Full T&Cs apply Gambleaware.org. Full T&Cs apply. |
|||||
|
T&Cs apply. 18+ New customers only. You must place a single win-only bet of £10 or more with odds of evens (2.00) or greater to qualify. Money back as £10 in free bets. Free bet is credited the day after the qualifying bet has settled. Must use code B10G10 when creating an account. |
|||||
|
New Players Only. Sign Up with Bonus Code: NEW30. Bet and Settle 1x£10 Bet on Matchbook Exchange at odds of 2.0 or more. Bet and Settle 1x£10 Bet on a Bet Builder or Multiple at odds of 3.0 or more, with min 3 selections. Within 72 hours of Qualifying Bets settling user will receive 1x £10 Exchange Free Bet, 1x £10 Multiples Free Bet, and 1x £10 Bet Builder Free Bet. Users making their first deposit by Skrill, Neteller or PaySafe card will not qualify for this promotion. 18+ Only. T’s and C’s Apply. Be Gamble Aware. |
|||||
|
18+ New customers only. Place a £10+ bet at min odds 1/1 (2.0) within 14 days of sign-up. Get £30 in Free Bets, valid for 7 days on selected bets only. Free stake not returned with winnings. T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org |
|||||
|
New customers only. Register, deposit with Debit Card, and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility exclusions & T&Cs Apply. |
|||||
|
18+ New Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. 1st Deposit & Bet £/€10+ at min odds 1/2 on Sports within 14 days of account reg & Get 4x £10 Free Bets (selected sportsbook markets only, valid 7 days) Max 1 Free Bet per player. Restrictions + T&Cs apply. |
|||||
|
18+. New customers only. Deposit and place first bet of £20 or more at min odds Evens (2.0). Get £20 in Free Bets credited as x1 £10 Free Bet and x2 £5 Bet Builder Free BetsT&Cs Apply. Please gamble responsibly. |
|||||
|
18+ New customers only. Min deposit £20. Min Wager £20 at min odds 1/1 (2.0). Max free bet £20. T&Cs apply begambleaware. |
|||||
|
18+. New UK & ROI customers only . Certain deposit methods & bet types excl . Min first £10 win or E/W bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 & get 4 x £10 free bets . Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. No cashout, restrictions + T&C apply |
|||||
|
*New members only. £10+ bet on sports (ex. Virtuals) 1.5 min odds, settled within 14 days. Free Bets: accept in 7 days, valid 7 days; £20 use on sportsbook, £10 on Bet Builder. Stake not returned. T&Cs + deposit exclusions apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org. 18+ |
|||||
|
New Customer only. £10 in real money. Bets placed on sports at odds of 2.00 or more to qualify. Bets must be placed 24 hours within registration. £10 free bets must be wagered on sports. Full terms apply. Gambling can be addictive, play responsibly. 18+ |
|||||
|
New members only. £10+ bet on sports (ex. virtuals) at 1.5 min odds, settled within 14 days. Free Bets: accepted in 7 days, valid 7 days; £20 use on sportsbook, £10 on Bet Builder. Stake not returned. T&Cs + deposit exclusions apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org. 18+ |
|||||
|
New bettors; Code SPORT; Wager deposit & bonus 8x; Max qualifying bet stake=initial bonus; Valid 60 days; Min odds, payment method exclusions apply; New customers only. T&C apply; 18+ Please gamble responsibly. |
|||||
|
Place a £10 fixed odds bet at minimum odds of 1/2 and get 3 x £10 free fixed odds bets, 3 x £5 Total Goals football spread bets and 3 x £5 Winning Favourites spread bets and a £1 racing Race Index spread bet.18+. Full T&Cs apply. www.gambleaware.org. |
|||||
|
18+. BeGambleAware.org. New customers only. Min. £10 deposit, debit card only. Up to 50x wagering, game contributions vary, max. stake applies, 7 day expiry. See full terms. #AD |
|||||
|
18+ New customers only. Opt in and bet up to £40 (min. £20) via mobile or app on any football (odds 1/1+) within 7 days of registration. Get up to £40 in free bets on selected markets, which expire in 7 days. T&Cs apply, see below. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly |
|||||
|
18+. BeGambleAware.org. New GB customers only. Min £10 debit card deposit. Place a £10+ bet at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days. Opt in for £20 sports free bet and £20 Casino Bonus. Valid for 7 days. Geographical restrictions and T&C’s apply. #AD |
|||||
|
New UK Customers place a minimum £10 qualifying sports bet at evens (1/1) or greater on a single selection only. A £20 free bet will be credited within 24 hours. The free bet is valid for 7 days and must be used on selections with minimum odds of evens (1/1). 18+ Please gamble responsibly. |
|||||
|
New sportsbook customers only. Place £10 first bet at min odds 1/2 to get £20 Free Bet. Stake not returned. Free Bet valid 7 days, min odds 1/2. Settled bets only. One welcome offer per customer (not with 50% Net Loss Refund). 18+. Full T&Cs apply. |
