Champion Contenders

This weekend sees a few interesting Champion Hurdle contenders in action. At Haydock, the heretofore impressive Peddlers Cross dusts off a few cobwebs whilst taking on the long absent Walkon (excellent Juvenile hurdler from 2009) and at Ascot last season's Triumph winner Soldatino runs in a rather competitive handicap. On Sunday, the extremely talented Hurricane Fly meets the capable Solwhit again at Leopardstown in the Irish Champion Hurdle. I am not sure what we will learn but as both Peddlers + Hurricane on the shortlist, one will be keen to see how they fare.

The feature is the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot which is now a conditions race and has somewhat lost it's lustre as a punting medium (ironic considering the sponsor). However this year's renewal sees a stronger field with Mad Max very interesting back on a "park" course and and coming from a stable in scintillating form. Master Minded (on the book) will take all the beating but with Paul Nicholls' string seemingly suffering their customary January blues, Mad Max looks a worthwhile punt (12s or higher).

Finally the deferred Thyestes Chase hopefully will go ahead at Gowran with 2 runners to watch jump round with a view to the future; The Midnight Club and Telenor. Both should be suited by the conditions but are vulnerable to something from the nether regions of the handicap.

enjoy....