Sounds like Noel Meade is somewhat concerned about this decision in respect of Champion Hurdle favourite Go Native, hoping that there is no mis-calculation resulting in 'tacky' ground.

I can't blame them for watering personally, it's forecast to be pretty much dry until the Opening Day and it's smart to preserve the current conditions.

Just been using the new sporting life race replay feature to watch some of last years festival races to get me in the mood. Enjoyed it again so much I've watched the bumper 3 times just confirms to me what an unbelievable performance that was from Dunguib and cannot wait for the opener next week, can't say I've been that excited about a horse for a very long time..

Also on the subject of Dunguib, I've had a little tickle on the only horse to ever finish in front of him. Found it interesting that Howard Johnson said that his On Raglan Road is potentially the best horse he has in the yard. He's trained some belters and has some top class animals at present and i see that as high praise indeed, 33/1 in the Coral Cup is worth a few quid I thought!

Ignore my last comment anyway - I've watched a few races on Youtube including the 2008 Gold Cup and the 09 Hennessy and as much as i've vowed I won't bet for Denman in the GC - I just seem to have a liking for him, had alot of trouble, seems to have been written off by the Bookies now, By god i'd love him to beat Kauto again - Imagine the Papers.

[sizeAP and Denman for me also.

The Cheltenham site has them on as well

I'd have a bet on the horse with a higher RPR than Dunguib going into this years Deloitte Novices Hurdle (who didn't run) - for more evidenceraced freely and soon clear, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out "

Settles much better now - she's an immense each-way bet in either of the Novice Hurdles and a great win bet for the Mares Hurdle

Just received my free William Hill Cheltenham Festival Guide in the post. Should have that read cover-to-cover by the weekend.

The Champion Hurdle is doing my head in at the moment, there are so many horses you could give chances to, there are thoughts running through my head, about whether last years champion hurdle was a poor renewal, are last years novices clearly as good as they look, will Binocular, Punjabi and Celestrial Halo improve on this seasons runs as they have been aimed at Cheltenham all season.

Here are my views on all the horses I think are in with a chance

Go Native - Class horse so far this year, but running style similar to Harcibald and idles when in front (see Christmas Hurdle), I'm discounting its win in the Fighting Fifth as the race was not truely run and turned into a sprint, needs to be given a perfectly timed ride by Carberry, as it could get collared in the last 50 yards if produced too early and despite its win in the Supreme its been campaigned on easy tracks such as Kempton and this is a negative for Champion Hurdle winners

Solwhit - Won all its races well this year and finished last year with 2 good wins at Aintree and Punchestown, but doubts about injury, going and course, probably the one to beat on soft ground, but its unlikely to be run next week due to injury, minor concern about the ground

Zaynar - Until it got beat at Kelso I was all over this horse, the form line from the Triumph puts it ahead of Go Native due to length of beating of Starluck, also ties in with Binocular, the ground may have been the problem at Kelso, Queetwo may turn out to be a good horse, the fact he clearly stays further will help with the finish as will course form, but the defeat at Kelso and the fact the horse doesn't have the gears leave a couple of doubts, plus Geraghty is on Punjabi

Khyber Kym - 12 months ago you wouldn't have even thought of this horse and winning the Champion Hurdle, but the wins in the Greatwood and Boylesports make it an interesting proposition, the beating of Medermit, Punjabi and Celestrial Halo have strong formlines, but needs soft ground and the fact Punjabi and Celestrial Halo won't have been at 100% for the Boylesports leave doubts

Medermit - Chased home Go Native last year, and was unlucky not to win (hampered jumping last) has form tieing in with Khyber Kym and has beaten Punjabi easily this year, I think it has solid claims for a place, but can't see it winning really, have a slight doubt about whether it is truly a topclass horse

Starluck - My favourite horse in training, travels like a dream, will still be cruising on the bridle 2 out but as was seen in the Triumph and at Aintree it will unfortunatly find nothing, I think the horse has toughened up a lot since last year and showed good finishing speed to win on the A/W at Kempton over mile, but doubts about the horse over 2 miles with an uphill finish, Personally I think this horse is best suited to flat tracks and will win the Christmas Hurdle in 2010

Binocular - Last years beaten fav, hasn't been as impressive as last year, may turn out to be a flat track bully, as it hasn't got up the hill in 2 championship races at Cheltenham, reportedly been working well now back from injury, wouldn't rule out it winning and has a good chance if prominently ridden, could be vulnerable to a horse produce late (see Christmas Hurdle)

Celestrial Halo - 2nd last year, has been aimed at this race all season, so won't have been 100% in all its prep runs, was impressive first time out this year, but hasn't performed as well in following races, top of the ratings for this season, and with the ground and other conditions in its favour could be in with a massive chance, I feel it needs to be prominently ridden just behind the front runners and kick for home going up the hill,

Punjabi - Last years winner, has once again been campaigned for this race and is a massive price, beaten easily first two runs this year and beat trees last time out, with conditions again in his favour Punjabi could run a massive race, but last seasons novices could be all be too good for him, I wouldn't rule out a 2nd Champion Hurdle especially after Barry Geraghty picked him over Zaynar

I honestly can't decide which horse I'll be backing on the day, as they all have pro's, cons and slight doubts

Great Post, I hope the race lives up to its billing and it could be one of the best Races at the Festival this year.

If fully fit then my pick would have been Solwhit, but I think the doubts are too strong and that he will be pulled from the race.

Outside Solwhit, i think Starluck is the best Horse but I can't see him being able to charge up the hill at Cheltenham fast enough to compete with some very quick rivals.

Although I will only make my picks on the day after i've read the papers - my current inkling is Go Native, and i'm not too worried by Zaynar's loss at Kelso and think he'll be in the 1/2.

Though i'm ruling out Celestial Halo, Punjabi and Binocular.

As expected Dunguib has chosen not to run the Champion Hurdle, also doubts today about Binocular running.

Think it's a bit of a shame TBH, seems to be quite a few high profile withdrawals from the Festival this year and I expect more in the next week also.

Celestial Halo isn't getting much of a mention the forgotten horse that loves Cheltenham and loves good ground... 16/1 and 4.5 place Get up the hill this time pleaseee.

Due to Solwhit being a doubt am going to have to pick another if it gets pulled out.

Medermit getting a mention and backing on other sites I go on.

The way I saw it was Medermit couldn't beat Celestial Halo when getting 4lbs yes it will improve but so will Celestial Halo, Khyber Kym beat Celestial Halo getting 4lb that puts them close to each other.