2021 Cheltenham Festival: Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When does the 2021 Cheltenham Festival take place? Tuesday 16th March – Friday 19th March, 2021
What time does the Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy start? Tuesday 16th March, 2021 – 15:05 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for the 2021 Cheltenham Festival? The 2021 Cheltenham Festival will take place without spectators
What TV channel is the 2021 Cheltenham Festival on in the UK? ITV will be televising the first six races of each day, while Racing TV subscribers will be able to watch all of the action
Where can I stream the 2021 Cheltenham Festival in the UK? The first six races of each day can be streamed live on the ITV Hub, while Racing TV subscribers can live stream all of the action
THE LOWDOWN
The big race on day 1 of the Festival is the Champion Hurdle and it looks like a brilliant renewal with some high-class horses in the field. Brilliant 7-year-old mare Honeysuckle will put her unbeaten record on the line. The winner of last year’s Mare’s Hurdle will take on the boys in search of her second success at the Festival and she looks to be the one to beat having produced a fine performance when claiming the Irish Champion at Leopardstown last month. Nicky Henderson’s Epatante is looking for a second straight success in this race but he disappointed with Aidan Coleman on board last time out at Kempton in December, finishing six and a half lengths behind Silver Streak who will also feature in this race. Henderson’s recent record in the Champion Hurdle is superb with three wins from the last four but his horse will also have to overcome Goshen if he is to add to that record. The 5-year-old was 5/2 favourite in the Triumph Hurdle last year and looked certain for success until he unseated his rider at the last when ten lengths clear but he is capable of putting that blunder behind him to go close here.
THE PREDICTION
The top three in the market all have a great chance here with all three boasting big claims in their own right. Epatante is the reigning champion after a wonderful victory last year while Goshen looked sensational until his blunder at the last in last year’s Triumph Hurdle but Honeysuckle is the preference. The wonder mare is ten from ten and while this is a trickier task than last year’s Mares’ Hurdle success, she can prove her class by maintaining her 100% record on ground that will suit.
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