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Cheltenham Festival 2011 |
cheltenham festival / 2011 news /
Maximum Field of Eleven for Champion Hurdle
14/03/11
The late withdrawal of Binocular means that there will only be a maximum of ten runners lining up for the highlight of the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival, the Champion Hurdle.
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At the 48-hour declaration stage only two runners were withdrawn, the defending champion Binocular and the Alan King trained Salden Licht, with the former causing a massive stir in the world of horse racing, with those who have placed Cheltenham 2011 bets on last year's winner frustrated by what has happened.
Philip Hobbs who tasted Champion Hurdle success with Rooster Booster in 2003 will be represented by Menorah, the winner of last season's Supreme Novice Hurdle and the horse that finished third in that race Dunguib will join him.
The other major novice winner from last year Peddlers Cross also features and Donald McCain's unbeaten charge will carry the hopes of the north and anyone looking to bet on Cheltenham 2011 will know the horse has an excellent chance.
Ireland's main hope Hurricane Fly will line-up as expected and if the travelling Irish punters side with this one, who will be re-united with Ruby Walsh it would not be a total surprise if he was supported in a price that makes him almost start as favourite.
