The New One
10th December 2016 – Cheltenham – I seriously doubt that this form amounts to very much at all in itself given the going preferences of the two horses that finished just behind him. That is not to say that he did not appear to be impressive on the day, however, because this was certainly pleasing to the eye. The time of the race suggests it was only good to soft going which adds a little confusion to the equation. Maybe they were simply getting through the ground due to it remaining wet all afternoon. I am not sure.
He was blatantly overpriced at 50/1 for the Champion Hurdle immediately after this contest. His price is now more in line after the enthusiastic response of the TV pundits. It is not that this run suggests that he has improved in any way; far from it. The offer of 50/1 was an overreaction based on the dearth of quality opponents in the early Champion Hurdle markets plus the fact that we have yet to see the first two in the betting reappear this season. Further confusion reigns due to the possibility that Faugheen and/or Annie Power will also have other Cheltenham Festival targets.
