Date: Tuesday 15th March 2022
The Champion Hurdle looks a little more straightforward this year, at least on paper. Recent renewals have strongly favoured unbeaten horses arriving in peak form, and that angle once again points very firmly in one direction.
Mares continue to play a major role in this race, and with the leading contender also ticking the trainer, age and recent-run boxes, the shape of the contest becomes clearer than usual.
These are the three that come out best on the Turf Talk ratings.
TURF TALK RATINGS - LEADING CONTENDERS
| Horse | Turf Talk Rating |
|---|---|
| Honeysuckle | 227 |
| Appreciate It | 212 |
| Teahupoo | 201 |
| Epatante | 193 |
| Zanahiyr | 184 |
| Adagio | 176 |
| Tommy’s Oscar | 168 |
The strongest factors this year are unbeaten seasonal form, a rating comfortably in the Champion Hurdle bracket, proven Grade 1 ability and a recent run in the ideal Festival build-up window.
MAIN SELECTION
Honeysuckle (Evens available)
She comes out miles clear on the ratings and looks very hard to oppose.
She is unbeaten, she has the Cheltenham win, she falls right into the prime age bracket and she arrives with exactly the kind of recent Grade 1 form that has proved so reliable in this race. On trends and form she is the obvious one.
BACKUP SELECTION 1
Appreciate It (7/2 available)
The most obvious danger to the selection and one with huge natural ability.
He has the class and comes from the right yard, but he is taking on a mare who has already set a very high Champion Hurdle standard. Even so, he looks the one most likely to give her something to think about.
BACKUP SELECTION 2
Teahupoo (9/1 available)
The more interesting one at a bigger price and worth including on the shortlist.
He is still improving and has enough class to make an impact if the race unfolds the right way. He does not have the same depth of profile as the top two, but he looks the value inclusion.
SUMMARY
Honeysuckle is the clear top-rated selection, with Appreciate It the obvious danger and Teahupoo the more interesting alternative at a bigger price. The same as last year, no need for looking elsewhere. Maximum bets on Honeysuckle.
