The 2009 renewal of the Champion Hurdle looks absolutely mouthwatering and could well be the major highlight of the Festival as a whole.
The favourite, Binocular, is the most well fancied since the days of Istabraaq, and although the five-year old has been nothing short of impressive so far in his career, he is far from a certainty amongst a maximum field full of major chances.
With the field being so large, you can be certain however that the race will be blitzkrieg in pace and probably over before you know it. It is with this notion that a few of the star studdied line-up make most appeal.
Binocular looks a class act, however my major doubt is whether he is tough enough to win a race where a fine balance of speed and stamina will be vital. The second favourite, Celestial Halo shapes up like he could go further, and whilst he will stay on, I do not think he will have the outright speed to stay in touch. It is also hard to see where the likes of Sublimity and Sizing Europe will have the speed for this, along with other former winners Hardy Eustace and Brave Inca.
Crack Away Jack and Sentry Duty have performed excellently this season, however they are handicappers, not Champion Hurdlers. Another market principle is Osana, who you can guarantee will be there or thereabouts, he is top drawer, but has been beaten into second far too much.
Whiteoak holds serious claims here. Her team have shown real faith by swerving the Mare's Hurdle for this, she carries that little bit of class and her weight allowance could be a major benefit if the race is run like a sprint. She is as low as 14/1 with Totesport (18/1 Coral)
However it is the forgotten horse, Katchit who makes most appeal. His form since winning this 12 months ago has been fair, but he will be fresh as a daisy after a short lay-off, and he carries all the right attributes to battle home again. His record around Cheltenham is also impeccable, and the fact that he thrives on large fields (as demonstated when he won the Triumph Hurdle) speaks volumes.
Katchit is massive value with Stan James, who go top priced 16/1 about a repeat performance from the diminutive six-year old. Coral also offer 50/1 on Snap Tie, who holds solid each way claims for a race which promises everything.