The 2018 Champion Hurdle will take place on Tuesday, March 13th at 3:30pm. It is a Grade One National Hunt hurdle, run over two miles and half-a-furlong, for horses aged four years and upwards. 13 runners go to post:

Buveur D’Air

He is the defending champion and from what we have seen of him so far this season he is going to take some beating.

He won the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle on his opening race of this season, despatching a weak field at odds of 1/6 and not even coming off the bridle at any stage.  Similar wins in both the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton and a Listed contest at Sandown advertised his dominance once more.

With Faugheen’s frailties well documented, he is the clear favourite to claim his second crown on Tuesday and is rightfully going to be one of the shortest priced favourites of the week.

Ch'tibello

Dan Skelton’s seven-year-old kicked off this season with a decent fourth place behind My Tent Or Yours, The New One and Melon in the International Hurdle at Cheltenham. He then went down by half a length to The New One at Haydock in their Champion Hurdle Trial. Last time out he found Elgin two-and-a-half lengths too good in the Kingwell Hurdle.

The forecast soft (possibly heavy) ground would certainly play into his strengths at large odds.

Charli Parcs

The J.P McManus-owned Charli Parcs has thus far failed to hit the heights connections were expecting of him and he really is up against it in this race on all known form lines.

He finished sixth behind Defi Du Seuil in the Triumph last year and his best placing this term was second at Newbury first time up.

Elgin

Elgin was supplemented into this race at a cost of £20,000 at Wednesday's confirmation stage.

Alan King's six-year-old has enjoyed an excellent season thus far, landing a competitive handicap at Ascot, the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham and the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton from five starts.

He will certainly give the Elite Racing Club a great day out whatever the result.

Faugheen

Faugheen will be bidding to regain his Champion Hurdle crown and would be one of the most popular winners of the week if he did so.

Injury forced the 2015 hero on to the sidelines for the best part of two years, but he looked as good as ever when making a successful comeback in the Morgiana Hurdle.

He blotted his copybook when he was mysteriously pulled-up at Leopardstown, but then ran respectably when second to Supasundae in the Irish Champion Hurdle.

At ten-years-old however, you have to wonder whether his best racing days are behind him.

Identity Thief

Henry de Bromhead's Identity Thief comes here on the back of finishing second to Forge Meadow at Gowran Park in the Red Mills Hurdle.

Identity Thief’s last visit to Cheltenham was in 2016 when he could only manage sixth place in this race behind Annie Power.

The eight-year-old looks much better suited to chasing these days.

John Constable

John Constable won twice over hurdles during the summer, including a runaway victory in the Swinton Handicap Hurdle at Haydock Park in May, and has run creditably in his two starts this winter.

He finished a close sixth in the International Hurdle at Cheltenham in December before coming home second, beaten a length and three quarters, behind Buveur D’Air in the Listed Contenders Hurdle at Sandown Park in February.

He looks like an interesting each-way outsider.

Melon

Melon started off this season with a fluent win at Down Royal. He was far too keen for his own good when beaten in the International Hurdle at Cheltenham, leaving very little in the tank for the finish and was disappointing again in the Irish Champion Hurdle.

Melon ran well in the Supreme last season and has been competing in the top level contests but he has not quite lived up to the hype. This would be the perfect stage to silence his critics.

Mick Jazz

Mick Jazz took advantage of Faugheen's Christmas flop but was firmly put in his place in the Irish Champion Hurdle when Supersundae and Faugheen powered clear of the chasing pack.

Gordon Elliott’s seven-year-old has always acquitted himself well in this grade but will probably need some of his rivals to underperform to have any realistic chance of winning.

My Tent Or Yours

Nicky Henderson’s veteran hurdler is no stranger to Cheltenham and this race having been run out of it three times up the famous hill.

He finally got his just reward for consistency when beating a decent field here in the International Hurdle in December.

Younger legs will probably find him out again this year but who would bet against him being in the shake up for the places?

Wicklow Brave

The nine-year-old is officially the third highest-rated horse in the race, behind odds-on favourite Buveur D’Air and 2016 winner Faugheen and many pundits are touting him as a potential dark horse in this.

A Grade One winner on both the flat and over hurdles, he took the Punchestown Champion Hurdle in April as well as being a previous winner of the Country Hurdle at the Festival.

He ran well in this race last year after planting himself for a few seconds so supporters will be hoping he jumps off on terms on Tuesday.

Yorkhill

The Willie Mullins-trained eight-year-old is talented, but has not found things going to plan over fences this season, having won the JLT Novices' Chase at Cheltenham twelve months ago.

A previous winner of the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle in 2016, the switch back to the smaller obstacles may spark his season back into life but makes him a risky horse racing betting proposition in this race.

Verdana Blue

Verdana Blue is the only mare in the race and she will need to run a career best to trouble the judge in this feature.

She was well beaten in the Betfair Hurdle last time out and has shown no kind of form that would put her up there as a serious contender in this.

My selection: Buveur D’Air (nap) Wicklow Brave (nb).

 

*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*

1.30pm: JCB Triumph Hurdle (2m1f)

Nicky Henderson holds a strong hand yet again with his juveniles Apple’s Shakira, a full-sister to star mare Apple’s Jade, who has won three times at Cheltenham this season and bids to go one better than her sister who finished second to Ivanovich Gorbatov in 2016.

The master of Seven Barrows also saddles WE HAVE A DREAM who, at the prices, looks the value play. A Grade 1 winner of the Finale at Chepstow, he has proven himself tactically versatile and won nicely at Musselburgh despite his trainer admitting he had left plenty of work still to do with him.

Alan King has a fine record with his juveniles and Redicean has continued to progress at a rapid rate of knots. His jumping was spot on at Kempton and he has vital speed from the Flat which will aid his cause.

Mr Adjudicator and Farclas look best of the Irish challenge but will need to step up on what they have achieved.

2.10pm: County Hurdle (2m1f)

Flying Tiger has been well backed over the past couple of weeks and the case is fairly simple. Last year’s Fred Winter winner who caught the eye against potential Champion Hurdle contenders in the Kingwell at Wincanton and the handicapper left him on a mark of 140.

A Hare Breath goes exceptionally well when fresh and has been saved for this having won a handicap hurdle at Sandown in December.

2016 Triumph Hurdle hero Ivanovich Gorbatov is becoming well handicapped once again and drying ground on the Friday will firmly be in his favour.

Whatswrongwithyou could be a very interesting contender with him likely to be aiming for the £100,000 bonus by winning the Imperial Cup and this contest. He looks on a fair mark.

Willie Mullins has won this race four times since 2010 and perhaps one of his more interesting handicap entries of the week is WHISKEY SOUR. A very fortunate Grade 1 winner in Ireland over Christmas, he shaped okay when fourth to Samcro in the Deloitte and he looks fairly treated on his achievements.

2.50pm: Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (3m)

An attritional test for any horse with experience being the key to the race. Every winner of the race has had at least five runs which rules out leading contenders Santini and Duc Des Genievres. Both have shown very good form and are exciting individuals for the future but a race of this nature may prove too much with the pair having only had three runs apiece in their whole lives.

Chef Des Obeaux has been rather impressive since stepped up to 3m and his ability to handle testing ground will always aid him in paying his way through the deep winter ground. Drier conditions would be a slight concern.

Poetic Rhythm won the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle in tenacious style at the expense of Mulcahys Hill and he has to be considered with him possessing enough experience.

At the prices, a chance is taken on WHITE MOON as he looked a very good prospect before having excuses when well beaten by On The Blind Side at Sandown. The step up to 3m is in his favour and ground should pose no issue.

3.30pm: Cheltenham Gold Cup (3m2f)

We will have a full preview of Cheltenham's feature race available later this week. More to follow...

4.10pm: Foxhunters Chase (3m2f)

Jamie Codd has been secured for the ride on Burning Ambition, a prolific point winner, who won on Rules debut at Limerick before finishing a good second to Gilgamboa at Punchestown last month. While he looks to possess plenty of ability, there are concerns about his resolution for a finish having been outbattled last time and his stamina for 3m2f.

Foxrock has been to Cheltenham twice before and disappointed both times so has a lot to prove regarding travelling over.

Punchestown Champion Hunter hero Balnaslow needs to improve considerably having pulled up last time in a point but could very easily return to form in a race he outran his odds in last year.

Paul Nicholls has stated that WONDERFUL CHARM is his best chance of a winner all week and, with Sam Waley-Cohen in the saddle, he is likely to be ridden a bit more forcefully than last year when second to stable companion Pacha Du Polder.

4.50pm: Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle (2m4f)

Arguably the most difficult handicap of the week with plenty of unexposed novices with Graded aspirations for the future.

Diese Des Bieffes has been well supported in the lead up to this with the likelihood of James Bowen taking the ride. His last couple of runs have been encouraging at Kempton, including when fifth to stablemate William Henry in the Lanzarote, and this stiffer track looks likely to suit.

Deal D’estruval looks well treated on his second to Off You Go at the Dublin Racing Festival and the step up in trip looks in his favour, while other Irish contenders of interest include Dortmund Park and Early Doors, who both have solid Graded form to their name and are relatively unexposed.

Another with more to offer is SPRINGTOWN LAKE who chased home leading Ballymore contender On The Blind Side at Sandown earlier in the season and his tenacious attitude will see him right there at the finish when plenty have cried enough.

5.30pm: Grand Annual Chase (2m½f)

The last chance for the get out stakes with the hurly burly of one of the fastest National Hunt races on the entire calendar with little margin for error.

Nicky Henderson will be hoping for a third win in the race named after his father and Theinval is, surprisingly, his only representative. He shaped well when last seen on New Year’s Day and was subsequently dropped 3lb for that effort.

His former inmate at Seven Barrows has also had a preparation towards this contest all season in Vaniteux but his 0-10 record at Cheltenham tempers enthusiasm.

Last year’s winner Rock The World and Don’t Touch It both represent Jessica Harrington and the pair look to have excellent chances with both having been aimed at the race all season.

One who could pose a threat at a bigger price is 2016 Fred Winter winner DIEGO DU CHARMIL. His comeback run after a setback was promising behind Saint Calvados and 143 looks a very tempting mark compared to his hurdles rating.

 

*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*

The Premier League is entering the home straight. We are at that point where teams begin to see doors close, and it’s bordering on last-chance saloon for a few teams. In some cases, that has passed and they are requiring divine intervention.

As is now tradition in these parts, we are looking at the Premier League’s 3pm kick-offs…

Everton vs BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION

There’s unrest again at Goodison Park. Sam Allardyce has almost squeaked his side over the line to safety, but several dire performances have seen the former England manager criticised.

The football has been bleak, and failure to win this match could see Allardyce edge towards the door.

Brighton, meanwhile, have been the story of the league recently.

A five-match unbeaten run featuring three victories has pulled the Seagulls level on points with the Toffees, and Chris Hughton might finally be about to receive the acclaim he has deserved for so long.

I like the 7/10 price on Brighton to avoid defeat. Hughton’s side are secure at the back, having conceded just 38 goals this season, and have a knack for scoring goals at the right time.

TIP: Brighton to win OR draw @ 7/10

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN vs SWANSEA CITY

Swansea’s Carlos Carvalhal revival recovered from an awayday hiccup at Brighton to smash West Ham last weekend.

Home form continues for the Swans, but their road troubles are still prevalent, though they have lost just once in four away matches.

Huddersfield’s home form is not great either. Their 4-1 win over Bournemouth was a needed relief from relegation pressure, but they had conceded seven goals in their two home matches prior to that.

Last time out they were ineffective, and calmly seen off by Tottenham at Wembley.

The visitors have been hard to beat away from the Liberty Stadium, even if results have not been fantastic. The onus is on the Terriers to push for a win here, but I think Swansea will frustrate them and this could eke into a low-scoring draw.

TIP: Under 2.5 goals @ 13/25

NEWCASTLE UNITED vs SOUTHAMPTON

One point and one place separate these two in the league at the moment. The Magpies are marginally ahead of their Saturday afternoon visitors, but could be in the bottom three by Monday.

Rafa Benitez’s side have won just one match in seven in the league, but have lost only two in that span.

Southampton are no strangers to a draw themselves. The south coast club have tied a league-high 13 matches thus far, including their last two.

Saints have won once in their last 16 in the league, but will likely head to the northeast with avoiding defeat as the priority once again.

Like so many of the matches this weekend, this will be cagey rather than expansive. Pragmatism from Benitez and Mauricio Pellegrino could make this a tough watch.

TIP: Under 2.5 goals @ 3/5

West Bromwich Albion vs LEICESTER CITY

West Brom’s defeat last weekend was the final nail in their Premier League coffin. Alan Pardew’s calamitous spell at the Hawthorns has left the Baggies playing for nothing but pride in early March.

The visiting Leicester are winless in five league matches, and have not won in their last five away from home.

Claude Puel’s side have little to play for either this season other than chasing Burnley for seventh. The Foxes have not been as poor as results suggest, however. They are deserved favourites to win this one.

Barring a shock performance from the hosts, I fancy Leicester to win this comfortably. West Brom are in freefall. It’s surprising Pardew has lasted this long, but a heavy defeat here could provoke managerial change.

TIP: Leicester to win @ 31/20

WEST HAM UNITED vs Burnley

Burnley are without a win in seven straight Premier League away matches, having failed to score in five of those fixtures.

Sean Dyche’s side returned to form of sorts with their win over Everton, but are still my underdogs for this one.

David Moyes’ side were dismantled by Swansea last weekend, just as they were by Liverpool the week before.

The Hammers are deep in relegation trouble. Moyes still has to deal with a lengthy injury list, and will likely stick with a 3-4-3.

I think the hosts will get back on track in this one. There isn’t great value to be found anywhere, so I’m siding with West Ham to avoid defeat as they aim to rebuild their cushion from the bottom three.

TIP: West Ham to win OR draw @ 3/10

 

*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*