The Cheltenham Festival / Timeform / 14 March 2011 /

Timeform take you through the field for what is shaping up to be the most competitive Champion Hurdle in many a year...

Bygones of Brid was successful three times under testing conditions during his novice campaign. He has run creditably a couple of times this term, though was no match for Peddlers Cross last time and is not up to this level.

Clerk's Choice shot to prominence when lowering the colours of more established rivals here in November. He confirmed that was no fluke when fourth behind Menorah two months later, but this is likely to be well beyond him.

Dunguib was a brilliant winner of the Champion Bumper in 2009, and things went against him when he lost his unbeaten record over hurdles in last year's Supreme Novices'. He won readily on his reappearance and has scope for more progress.

Hurricane Fly took his Grade 1 tally to seven with his best effort yet in the Irish equivalent of this at Leopardstown in January. He gives the impression he has even more to offer if and when required, and holds the strongest claims.

Khyber Kim produced a career-best effort when finding only Binocular too good in this last year, and gained a deserved Grade 1 success at Aintree the following month. He was unsuited by a test of speed at Kempton on his return and this will be more suitable.

Menorah had Dunguib and Oscar Whisky behind when landing the Supreme Novices' last year. He has continued his progress this season, winning both his starts at this venue, and seems sure to be bang there once more.

Mille Chief has always had a big reputation which looked fully justified after his impressive win in a big-field handicap at Sandown in January. He was only workmanlike in a Grade 2 last time, though, and this is tougher still.

Oscar Whisky suffered his only defeat at hands of Menorah in the Supreme Novices' last year and has gone on improving this season, making it two from two in the Welsh Champion last time. He steps back up in class here but we haven't seen the best of him yet.

Overturn is a classy dual-purpose performer who won the Galway Hurdle in July. He found only Binocular too good in the Christmas Hurdle, but needs to put a weak-finishing effort on soft ground last month behind him.

Peddlers Cross is still unbeaten and confirmed his well-being with a bloodless success at Kelso last month. He needs to improve further to keep that record intact, and this test will ask a different question of him.

Thousand Stars proved highly progressive upon joining this yard last season, landing the County Hurdle prior to finishing third to Hurricane Fly in a Grade 1 at Punchestown. He has finished behind his stablemate again on his last two starts and that one's credentials are much stronger.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Hurricane Fly
2. Oscar Whisky
3. Menorah

Timeform View: The late absence of Binocular does little to detract from what looks one of the strongest renewals of the Champion for some time. His stablemate Oscar Whisky has done very little wrong, but faces his toughest task yet and might just lack the finishing kick of Hurricane Fly, who finally makes it to the Festival on the back of seven Grade 1 wins in Ireland. Menorah also merits a place on any shortlist.

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