2009 Champion Hurdle Runners

The Champion Hurdle is one of the most highly anticipated races at the Cheltenham Festival. Although the final field for the 2009 Cheltenham Champion Hurdle will only be confirmed closer to the event here are some horses with previous wins at Cheltenham worth looking out for in the 2009 event.

Katchit

As last year’s winner, punters will be eager to place a wager on Katchit for the 2009 Champion Hurdle. Trained by Alan King, the five-year-old horse beat Osana and Punjabi to become the first five-year-old horse to see victory at the Champion Hurdle since 1985. As a relatively small horse, or a “little terrier” as described by his jockey, Robert Thornton, Katchit certainly demonstrated his persistence.

Robert Thornton and Katchit also gave an impressive performance at the 2007 JCB Triumph Hurdle and finished first by nine lengths.

Brave Inca

Irish born Brave Inca will be looking to show off his abilities at the 2009 Cheltenham Festival Champion Hurdle. The horse is undoubtedly one of the best hurdlers running in National Hunt racing at present with 14 wins from 30 starts with an overall record of 24 placed finishes at all races.

Brave Inca has a superb record at Cheltenham Racecourse having achieved 2 wins from 4 starts and finishing placed in both the remaining races. The 2 miles 110 yard distance of the Cheltenham Champion hurdle will suit Brave Inca perfectly – the horse has never finished unplaced over this distance.

Detroit City

Detroit City is a horse with an excellent record in flat racing, looking to prove that he has what it takes to make it in the high stakes National Hunt races. In his short career Detroit City has made a strong statement of intent taking 7 wins from 10 starts. Detroit City is an all-or-nothing runner, and tends to finish unplaced if unable to take the race.

Detroit City’s form at Cheltenham Racecourse has been particularly noteworthy with the horse taking 3 wins from 4 starts. Another ominous sign for the 2008 Champion Hurdle runner’s rivals is his record over the distance of 2 miles 110 yards. Detroit City has won 5 out of 6 starts over the Champion Hurdle distance.

Hardy Eustace

Hardy Eustace’s prospects for the 2009 Champion Hurdle are hard to ignore, and the Irish-born horse looks to have an excellent chance of finishing in the top three. His record in hurdles speaks for itself, with Hardy Eustace winning one race in three, and finishing placed in 23 out of 30 starts.

Hardy Eustace’s record at Cheltenham Racecourse confirms his excellent prospects, with the horse having won 3 out of 7 Cheltenham starts, and finishing placed in 6 of these races. The 2009 Champion Hurdle runner is no slouch over the 2 mile 110 yard distance either and has won 2 out of 4 starts over this distance.