Champion Hurdle

I see Solwhit has been backed in to 9/1 (from 10/1) and he has excellent form having beaten Punjabi in Ireland and before that posted a (very) big figure at Aintree (albeit over 20f on Soft). But given the Punjabi race was also on Soft/Heavy and Punjabi had hard races at both Cheltenham and Aintree just prior to that race, and the fact he has yet to race at Cheltenham, I don't think that is an attractive price. I know Solwhit is being targetted at the race but at this stage I can only see him as a saver if he lines up for the big one in March.

On form we have four good horses in Binocular, Celestial Halo, Punjabi and Solwhit, with both Hurricane Fly and Zaynar looking like they may be capable of posting figures to compete at the highest level, particualrly the former.

I think there is no doubt Hurricane Fly was the best Novice 2 miler of last year but 7/2 about a horse who has never raced at Cheltenham and has to prove himself against his elders some 7 months ahead is not for me.

I cannot have Zaynar even though he is as short as 8/1 with Victor Chandler, (who has an interest in him), primarily because he will only be 5 and despite Katchit's win they are up against it when facing older more mature and experinced rivals at the festival.

I will be watching Hurricane Fly and Zaynar closely as they could easily develop into bets at some stage but they are both too short for what they proved so far.

So having suggested Hurricane Fly and Zaynar are too short and Solwhit has something to prove over 2 miles at Cheltenham on Good to Soft going, we are left with the first three home last year.

We have seen off the old brigade and a new generation is now centre stage and I am convinced we will see the first three back again next year with a big chance. All three have to be respected and with both Binocular and Celestial Halo being only 5 last year and open to improvement and each with reason to believe they can do better they have to be really good value at 6/1 and 14/1.

Punjabi has had 30 races with 14 over hurdles compared to Binoculars 14 lifetime and 7 hurdle races and Celestial Halo's 16 races and 8 hurdle races. He had a good preparation last year and the run of the race and whilst he is a very tough horse, I would want 18/1+ before I stepped in.

Celestial Halo deserves to be slightly longer than Binocular as there is a doubt as to whether he will be stepped up in trip (particularly if Big Bucks goes for the Gold Cup)and a doubt over the jockey, (will Ruby Walsh ride Hurricane Fly if they both line up?).

So to summarise the prices I would be looking to beat at the start of the season are: -

Binocular 5/1; Hurricane Fly 6/1; Celestial Halo 10/1; Punjabi 16/1; Solwhit 16/1; Zaynar 20/1; Others 33/1+

There is the possibility that something improves past all these, or something comes from the flat, but I am happy, at this stage, to bet that doesn't happen.