IT'S the championship race for four year old's this season. Can Graeme Johnston (@GraemeJ_83) find the winner?
Cheltenham 13:30 | Triumph Hurdle | Channel 4
This year's field is crammed full of potential and I wouldn't be surprised if a couple of these developed into Champion Hurdle contenders.
The long time favourite for the race, Peace and Co has raced twice for Nicky Henderson winning impressively on both occasions. Yet to come off the bridle he has the pace for the race, but on quicker ground than he has encountered and against stronger opposition you have to suspect he will be made to work harder, and I feel the value lies elsewhere.
Hargam and Top Notch are also Henderson inmates and both race on their own merits. Neither have done anything wrong and deserve their respective places. Petit Parisienne looks the pick of the Irish contingent, and as a grade 1 winner on his second start I make the Mullins horse the main danger to my selection.
Beltor has had two starts over hurdles, and though he has something to find strictly on ratings, the manner of his win in the Adonis Hurdle makes him a horse to follow.
Trained on the Flat by Sir Mark Prescott he recommended Beltor as a horse with National Hunt potential to his former assistant Robert Stephens.
Taking his mentors advice he has transformed Beltor into a top juvenile hurdler. The way he travelled at Kempton on soft ground had to be seen to be believed, and in my opinion if he was attached to the Nicholls or Mullins yards he would be favourite for the race. I'm really excited about seeing him tomorrow and I expect him to give us a flying start to Day 4.
Best Bet
Cheltenham 13:30 – Beltor to win (7/1 Bet Bright)
