How a Champ was bred: the brilliant bloodlines of the Challow Hurdle hero

Champ maintained his steep upward trajectory on Saturday with a consummate success in the Grade 1 Betway Challow Novices' Hurdle at Newbury.

The progressive six-year-old was bred by former Tattersalls director Philip Myerscough and his wife Jane, and boasts a pedigree that more than entitles him to live up to his grandiose moniker.

He is the 16th Grade 1 winner sired by King's Theatre, the son of Sadler's Wells who earned five champion jumps stallion crowns during a distinguished career at Ballylinch Stud.

King's Theatre's lengthy roll of honour is headed by the mighty Cue Card, who retired from racing earlier this year having won nine top-flight events - including the 2015 King George VI Chase, for which he earned a career-high Racing Post Rating (RPR) of 180.

King's Theatre has now supplied two Challow Hurdle winners, as he was also responsible for the ill-fated Wichita Lineman, who claimed the 2006 renewal.

Champ is the first foal out of China Sky, a daughter of Definite Article who showed modest form in two bumpers when sporting the silks of Philip Myerscough.

However, what China Sky lacks in race record she more than makes up for in pedigree, as she is a half-sister to the iconic Best Mate, who is best remembered for his hat-trick of Cheltenham Gold Cup successes for Henrietta Knight from 2002 to 2004.

Best Mate leads over the last in the 2004 Cheltenham Gold CupCredit: Edward Whitaker

Moreover, China Sky is also a half-sister to Cornish Rebel, who landed the 2003 Challow Hurdle before developing into a decidedly smart chaser later in life, the useful handicap chaser Inca Trail and the dual Grade 3-winning hurdler Inexorable.

Since producing Champ, China Sky has delivered six more foals, with the placed but error-prone pointer Track Mac her only other offspring to have raced.

She also has a four-year-old Beat Hollow filly named Drury; a three-year-old Shirocco filly who was bought by Gerry Hogan Bloodstock for €80,000 at this year's Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale; a two-year-old colt by Fame And Glory; and a yearling colt by the late, great Presenting.

Earlier this year she delivered a son of Walk In The Park who was retained at €52,000 at the Tattersalls Ireland November NH Sale.

Champ has been through the sales ring on one occasion himself, having been signed for by Aiden Murphy at €40,000 as a foal at the 2012 November NH Sale. He was offered at Fairyhouse by Baroda and Colbinstown Studs, the operation run by Dave Myerscough, the son of Champ's breeders, and David Cox.

Saturday's result also adds to the momentum behind Definite Article's profile as a broodmare sire, with Champ one of four runners out of one of his daughters with an RPR of 150 or higher.

He is joined by Grade 2-winning hurdler and Listed-winning chaser Peregrine Run (also by King's Theatre and rated 154); Silver Cup Handicap Chase scorer Gold Present (158) and Grade 1 Ryanair Novice Chase winner Great Field.

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