With a name like Champ, Nicky Henderson’s brilliant bay gelding was always destined for on-track glory. 2t313
Sadly, however, those attending the Cheltenham Festival on March 18th will no longer get to see him making an appearance in the much-hyped Boodles Gold Cup. 84o3r
With the horse entered in both the Gold Cup and the Stayers’ Hurdle, it’s been decided the latter is the better choice for him.
A Tricky Decision 6n4e73
The Cheltenham Festival is not an event that’s lacking in talent. Bringing together the cream of the National Hunt scene, it has many stars who’ll be making an appearance come mid-March.
For those intent on some Cheltenham Gold Cup betting, for example, there will be the finest contenders to choose from, with A Plus Tard the current favourite at 7/2, closely followed by Galvin and Minella Indo at 9/2.
One name that won’t be making an appearance, however, is Champ. Having previously run in the contest, the 10-year-old failed to make his mark last year. This was arguably not due to any shortcoming on his part, with the gelding having to be pulled up due to an issue with his back.
Rather than trying his luck a second time, though, Nicky Henderson has opted to take a fresh approach in 2022, entering Champ in the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle instead.
Certainly, Champ has shown form since his return from injury. Carefully restarted over smaller obstacles, he proved impressive in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot, storming to victory there. He also put in a laudable performance in the Cleeve Hurdle, where he placed second behind Paisley Park.
Explaining his decision to withdraw from the Gold Cup, Henderson stated: “I think it just looked the obvious thing to do. He’s got to stay over hurdles now.”
Nonetheless, the trainer will still be contesting this most famous of races; he simply won’t be doing so with his previous runner. Instead, Chantry House will carry the baton, with Champ aiming to shine in the Stayers’ Hurdle instead.
Not the only withdrawal 1p5y6c
The 10-year-old gelding isn’t the only horse Henderson has withdrawn from engagements at the Festival. Stablemate Buveur D’Air was also entered in two contests – the Champion and Stayers’ Hurdles – but has been removed from both.
This has led many to speculate that he may have incurred an injury or experienced a loss of performance, but Henderson has pooh-poohed this notion, stating that priorities for the gelding have changed. Instead of competing at the Festival, the focus will be to repeat his 2017 win in the Aintree Hurdle.
He explained this had always been the primary goal for Buveur D’Air, who also ran well in the contest last year. While the team is looking to run him at least once before the event, they’ve naturally chosen not to use the Champion Hurdle as a prep race.
Irrespective of these withdrawals, one thing remains clear: the Cheltenham Festival will still make for gripping viewing once March arrives. Tell us, who will your money be on?
