GIVE BENIE HER DIEUX

Ben Morgan thinks Team Mullins will carry off Day One’s big prize

TUESDAY LINE-UP

1.30 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
2.10 Arkle Trophy Chase
2.50 Ultima Handicap Chase
3.30 Champion Hurdle
4.10 Mares’ Hurdle
4.50 Northern Trust Novices’ Handicap Chase
5.30 NH Challenge Cup

Champion Hurdle

The Champion Hurdle revolves around a horse which isn’t even entered.

BENIE DES DIEUX looks set to be supplemented and would bid to replicate what her former stablemate, Annie Power, did by winning the Champion Hurdle a year after falling at the last in the Mares’ Hurdle.

She is all class and the fact Mullins has even compared her to the great Annie Power let alone suggest she might be better than her says all that needs to be said. If she goes, she wins. The drop to two miles shouldn’t inconvenience her too much and given this is one of the weakest Champion Hurdles of recent times, she looks to have an outstanding chance of securing a Grade 1 victory.

Epatante would have her nose pushed out somewhat if BDD was to be supplemented as she has secured her spot at the top of the market with two impressive wins this season. However, in a normal year I do wonder whether she would be favourite for a Champion Hurdle given the fact she hasn’t beat a great deal. She has still looked good, however, and must be respected as an improving horse.

I did think Envoi Allen might make an appearance here but Gordon Elliott sounds pretty adamant he will be heading to the Ballymore and I can understand that but it would be a fascinating contest if he were in this instead.

Given it is such an open year, I would be daft not to chuck in a few outsiders. I have said all winter that Supasundae is a silly price having been around the 25/1 mark for most of the winter. Since Jessie Harrington has stated he will run in the two-mile contest he has been snipped into 16s.