Tom Segal likes two for the Champion Hurdle - including 'one from leftfield'

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Silver Streak
Champion Hurdle
1pt win at 11-1

Abacadabras
Champion Hurdle
1pt win at 20-1

The hardest thing to lose is a reputation. Nowhere is that more evident than with horses, because on recent evidence it's possible to make a cogent case for Silver Streak being favourite for the Unibet Champion Hurdle, yet he's still available to back at a double-figure price.

He's been around for a long time and in past years he's acquired the reputation of being a level below the best but I prefer to concentrate on the here and now.

This season he has thrashed Verdana Blue giving her loads of weight, he was carried out at the second in the Fighting Fifth and then he was just about the unluckiest loser of the season in the International. However, the crowning moment of his career came last time when he thrashed the reigning champion Epatante in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.

There isn't a hurdler in Britain and Ireland with that CV this season and, while it's possible that Epatante was below form at Kempton, that is far from certain.

To start with, the ultra-consistent Ballyandy was beaten only a length further in the race the year before, the time was good and most importantly Silver Streak changed tactics and made the running.

At Kempton, Silver Streak came to the last with his ears pricked and was clearing away from Epatante at the line. He appeared to win with plenty in hand, we know he likes Cheltenham and he's way too big a price to confirm that form in March.

Of course Epatante will be a big danger but it wasn't the greatest Champion Hurdle last year and she's certainly not unbeatable.

However on that Kempton form she's way too short a price and she can't be entertained as a bet now because she's bound to be bigger than the current 9-4 on the day.

Sharjah was runner-up a year ago and is a fabulous jumper of hurdles so makes plenty of each-way appeal again. He looked better than ever at Leopardstown over Christmas but he seemingly likes to be ridden from way off the pace and that is always going to make life that bit trickier in a Champion Hurdle.

It's possible to make a case for Song For Someone who beat Silver Streak in the International giving him 2lb. He's clearly worth a shot in the Champion but I would be surprised if he's good enough as he clearly enjoyed the run of the race on that occasion.

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If there is one from leftfield it could well be Abacadabras, who is a lot better than he has been able to show this season and he certainly wouldn't be the first horse beaten in the Supreme to go on and win the Champion the following season. Jezki and Buveur D'Air are recent examples of that and watching the Supreme back last year, Abacadabras was a bit unlucky not to beat Shishkin.

He travelled and jumped much the best but was left in front too far out when there was the mess at the second last. Abacadabras was coming back at Shishkin at the line and he was 11 lengths clear of the rest.

Abacadabras has to put a poor run behind him but he came back sick from Leopardstown. Cheltenham and the fast pace of a Champion Hurdle will suit him perfectly.

Saint Roi has a similar profile to Abacadabras but there didn't seem to be any excuses for him last time, while Concertista would be very dangerous if connections opted for this race rather than the Mares' Hurdle.

Champion Hurdle, card and betting

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