The International Hurdle (Saturday 16 December) has a new sponsor this year as Unibet takes over from Stan James, however the race will still take place over 2 miles 1 furlong and 8 hurdles on Cheltenham’s New Course.
First run in 1963, it has been won by some of the best 2-mile hurdlers of all time, including Comedy Of Errors, Bula, Birds Nest, Sea Pigeon, Rooster Booster and Binocular, whilst 3 of the last 4 renewals have been won by The New One.
Major Trends
- The last 10 winners have been aged 4 to 8, with 5-year-olds winning 4 renewals
- The last 10 winners have been rated between 152 and 168
- Seven winners carried 11-4, three carried 11-8
- Nigel Twiston-Davies has trained 4 of the last 8 winners
- Paul Nicholls has trained 2 of the last 5 winners
- Nicky Henderson has trained 2 of the last 9 winners
- Richard Johnson has ridden 2 of the last 7 winners
- The New One is the shortest-priced winner in the last 10 years at 2/5
- Khyber Kim is the longest-priced winner in the last 10 years at 12/1
Major Contenders
The New One
Missed the 2015 renewal, but has won this race carrying 11-8 in 2013, 2014 and 2016. Tends to be at his best before Christmas, and has already proved his well-being with a win in the Welsh Champion Hurdle and fourth off top-weight in the Greatwood Hurdle. Looks sure to make a bold bid for an unprecedented fourth International Hurdle win.
My Tent Or Yours
It’s hard to believe that a horse good enough to be runner-up in three Champion Hurdles hasn’t won since February 2014, but that’s because he has the ability to travel a long way on the bridle but seldom finds much in a fight. Beaten by The New One in last year’s renewal and, though he reversed the form in the Champion Hurdle, he’ll probably find at least one too good, even though he gets weight from his main market rivals (as he did last year).
Melon
Last year’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle runner-up officially has 8lb to find with The New One but, after just 4 starts, this horse could easily find that improvement given he has a big reputation. He’s also 5, and it’s interesting that trainer Willie Mullins is considering testing the water with him by sending him to Cheltenham early in the season.
Old Guard
The 2015 winner has already won twice this season, but he was beaten 15-lengths by The New One in last year’s renewal. Would also prefer better ground, and is an unlikely winner at this stage.
Ch’tibello
Handicapper raised him 8lb for getting within a length of Yanworth when last seen and, though that leaves him with just 6lb to find with The New One, he may have been flattered by that run.
John Constable
Formerly useful horse on the flat, and took his hurdles form to a whole new level at the end of last season when winning handicaps off marks of 134 and 150. However, that still leaves him with quite a bit to find in this higher-grade.
Summary
The New One could easily give trainer Nigel Twiston-Davis a fifth winner in the race in the last 9 years but, as good as he is, he has always looked vulnerable to a horse out of the very top-drawer. Melon isn’t that yet but, if he lives up to his reputation, he could be – and he looks the value-bet.
International Hurdle Tip: Melon