It's certainly a fascinating race is the Champion Hurdle! I'm the same I keep saying to myself I'm gonna back so and so and then end up changing my mind and think of a different winner every day!

I'm already on Punjabi at 12's and am happy with that...I backed him last year and think he'll be right there in the shake up this time round aswell.

The other 2 I keep coming back to are Starluck and Go Native. I just think there will be so many horses in with a chance late on I think these 2 hold up horses can be held onto for as long as possible, Carberry is the absolute master for that and I can see the race being run perfectly for him and playing straight into his hands, Starluck aswell with Timmy Murphy will be going aswell as anything a couple out and the drying ground will be in his favour, a year older and more experienced and I think he will come up the hill better than last year.

My brave prediction...

1 - Starluck 9/1
2 - Go Native 3/1 fav
3 - Punjabi 8/1

1'2, nk...

Come to a conclusion that on form Celestrial Halo's 2nd (ran to its highest rating) to Khyber Kym, beating Medermit, is rock solid given that Medermit was 1/2 length behind Go Native in the Supreme, this form tied in with Go Native's narrow defeat of Starluck in the Xmas hurdle, gives Zaynar a big boost, as it thrashed Starluck in the Triumph, doubts remain about it though after Kelso and goes against trends (1 from 25 for 5yr olds), this leaves 2 candidates on this years form, but by ignoring its 2 defeats this year, I'd give a massive chance to Binocular if it is back to 100%, got the gears needed, has beaten Celestrial Halo in the last 2 seasons, champ on board and scores 8/10 on trends, can't discount Punjabi either, but wouldn't be surprised by any result

Tentative prediction

Binocular
Zaynar
Celestrial

Runs Sunday in a listed Mares Hurdle at Limerick - presence of the Winters mare means we'll all get a decent price IMO - BOG probably too as the yard will hammer Winters horse.

Tell you what Deep Purple 25/1 for Ryanair Chase is a great price if it goes now its NRNB thought it would be lower then that Ryanair Chase is the target and the trainer did they would be tempted to run there was a dry spell before the festival am on only a little on 33/1 and 8/1 place going to have a more serious bet at 25/1 though as its no risk now ante post is gone, it wont go off at 25/1 thats for sure and Williams rates the horse very highly so it wont run unless its on top form.

Wants a flat track, Schindlers Hunt wins

Goes well on not so flat tracks.

It will have a huge E/W chance if it goes.

Poquelin will be the one to beat if it gets the ground.

Sam Thomas now a doubt for a the Festival.

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/cheltenham-festival-c-byrnes-cheltenham-cheltenham-champion-hurdle-solwhit-given-champion-hurdle-go-ahead/691272/top/

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/cheltenham-festival-c-byrnes-cheltenham-cheltenham-champion-hurdle-solwhit-given-champion-hurdle-go-ahead/691272/top/