TUE 15TH MAR
3.30pm Cheltenham: Champion Hurdle
One of our bets for the Champion Hurdle, Old Guard, has just been declared a non runner. Having taken the bet under ‘non runner, no bet’ terms, we have our money back. The question is whether we look to reinvest our stake and add to our bet on The New One or go to battle with just the 1. There is nothing that has changed for us amongst the market principles and, having nailed our colours to the chances of Nigel Twiston-Davies’ horse, we’ll stick with that as our main bet.
However, there is one lurking amongst the bigger prices that takes our eye and that is Camping Ground. He is a 6 year old that won the Relkeel Hurdle over 2 miles 4 furlongs on New Year’s Day and, strictly on that form, must have a major chance here. He slammed Lil Rockerfeller and Top Notch that day so to see 25/1 still on offer surprises us. He has been lightly campaigned this year with Cheltenham always being his target, albeit the original thought was that the World Hurdle would be his target.
Camping Ground did get soundly beat last time out but that was over 3 miles and it was patently obvious that he failed to stay. Despite travelling very keenly that day, he still travelled well for a long way and this shorter trip will suit much better. He will love the fast pace here and, as a strong traveller and confirmed stayer, he’s going to be one of very few that will be staying on up that hill. Whether he’d prefer softer ground is open to some debate but we are still likely to get soft somewhere in the going description come the start of the Festival.
What is very interesting is that he is actually the highest rated horse in the field and if he was trained by a Mullins or Henderson, he’d be a lot shorter in the betting. Let’s not forget that the favourite for this race, Annie Power, is a horse better over further who was originally being aimed at either the Mares Hurdle over 2 miles 5 furlongs or the 3 mile World Hurdle. If she isn’t likely to be convenienced by this trip despite what the formbook tells us, why should Camping Ground? At big odds, we are prepared to find out.
Back Camping Ground (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 26.00 with Paddy Power (1/4 1-3, NRNB)
Back it here:
