Willie Mullins took the Supreme Novices' Hurdle (13:30) last year with the Rich Ricci-owned, Ruby Walsh-ridden Champagne Fever, and the trio combine again with Vautour. Vautour has shown progressive form since joining Mullins from France, winning on all three outings, and he delivered an especially impressive success last time in the Grade 1 Deloitte Novice Hurdle. Ruby Walsh dictated affairs on Vautour, but that should not detract from the horse's performance as he always looked to be in command, quickening clear under a hands-and-heels ride having jumped superbly. The form of that effort just about sets the standard in a wide-open renewal, and Vautour looks to possess a potent blend of speed and stamina that will ensure he goes close.
The market is headed by the Paul Nicholls-trained Irving, and, like Vautour, he is unbeaten for his current yard. A useful Flat performer in Germany, Irving has taken very well to hurdling and produced an extremely visually-impressive performance to win the Grade 2 Dovecote Novices' Hurdle at Kempton last time. Irving is clearly a talented horse, but he hasn't always impressed with his jumping technique and is likely to be at his best when the emphasis is on speed, so a strongly-run race at Cheltenham will offer a significantly different test to what he has faced so far, and, at the prices, Vautour makes the greatest appeal.
Champagne Fever and Rock On Ruby, who were both top-class hurdlers, clash in a fascinating renewal of the Arkle Chase (14:05), and narrow preference is given to Harry Fry's charge. Rock On Ruby has yet to face a stern examination over fences - he has effectively been involved in two match races as one of his rivals departed early at Plumpton - but he looked much improved in the jumping department when comfortably beating the talented Mr Mole at Doncaster, and it is worth remembering how the pick of his efforts over hurdles came at the Cheltenham Festival. His handler, Harry Fry, has made a tremendous impression during his fledgling training career and is sure to have Rock On Ruby absolutely primed to once again produce his best on the biggest stage of all.
Champagne Fever - who will be aiming to emulate Bobs Worth's rare achievement of winning different races at three consecutive Festivals - displayed a top-class piece of form when rallying bravely to fend off the attentions of My Tent Or Yours in last season's Supreme Novices' Hurdle, and he put in some spectacular leaps at Leopardstown prior to clattering through the second-last fence. A bold-jumping front runner who has proven impossible to pass up the famous Cheltenham hill, Champagne Fever's claims are obvious, though it is a slight concern that he has missed a couple of reported targets since that incident, and Rock On Ruby is narrowly preferred at current odds.
My Tent Or Yours can silence his doubters by storming up the Cheltenham hill and beating a vintage crop of two-milers in the Champion Hurdle (15:20). The J.P McManus-owned gelding created a deep impression during a highly-successful novice campaign last season, confirming himself as a horse right out of the top drawer as he decimated his rivals in the usually-competitive Betfair Hurdle. It was perhaps slightly disappointing that My Tent Or Yours failed to land the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, but he still produced a highly-creditable effort to finish runner-up to the superbly-ridden Champagne Fever in an exceptionally-strong renewal, and he has taken the step up to open company in his stride this term, winning the Fighting Fifth Hurdle on his return prior to getting the better of The New One in a pulsating finish to the Christmas Hurdle. There has been much debate as to who would have won had The New One not blundered at the final flight, but what can't be disputed is the fact that My Tent Or Yours knuckled down well under pressure to edge ahead close home on ground that wouldn't have played to his strengths, answering those critics who had labelled him a 'bridle-horse'.
The New One is clearly a top-class hurdler in his own right, and there is likely to be little between the pair again, but My Tent Or Yours offers much the best value of the two, and, with a recent setback reportedly having little impact upon his preparation (had completed serious work), he appeals as a good bet.
Dual winner Hurricane Fly is obviously worth serious consideration having enjoyed a fruitful time of things in Ireland this winter, but this is the best Champion Hurdle field he has encountered and the suspicion is that one of the younger brigade may improve sufficiently to snatch his crown: we are hoping that My Tent Or Yours is that horse.
Timeform SmartPlays:
All at Cheltenham
Back Vautour to win the Supreme Novices' Hurdle
Back Rock On Ruby to win the Arkle Chase
Back My Tent Or Yours to win the Champion Hurdle
