One week to go: our experts with their advice for the Unibet Champion Hurdle

The Cheltenham Festival is now just seven days away and the Unibet Champion Hurdle will take centre stage on day one. Will Honeysuckle reign supreme or is there a fly in the ointment? Our experts have their say on the Tuesday feature.

Unibet Champion Hurdle racecard and betting

Ben Hutton

1 Honeysuckle
2 Tommy’s Oscar
3 Teahupoo

It is hard to envisage anything other than another victory for last year’s all-conquering winner Honeysuckle, who looked as good as ever when maintaining her unbeaten record in the Irish Champion Hurdle last month. With Monmiral having Aintree as a likely target, the best option for the forecast could prove to be Tommy’s Oscar, who has a very solid profile and is an attractive each-way option at odds in the region of 25-1.

Paul Kealy

1 Honeysuckle
2 Teahupoo
3 Adagio

Honeysuckle seemed a little bit below par in the Irish Champion Hurdle to these eyes, but she still won by clear daylight and remains the one to beat. The new kid on the block is Teahupoo, who I reckon should be second favourite after such a stunning success at Gowran Park last time. With Appreciate It having had his problems, I’ll stick with another five-year-old to fill the frame in the shape of Adagio.

Gavin Lynch

1 Honeysuckle
2 Appreciate It
3 Teahupoo

If the real Honeysuckle turns up, she should make it back-to-back wins in this race. Including her mares’ allowance, she is currently 12lb clear of her rivals on ratings. It’s a big ask for last year’s Supreme Novices’ winner Appreciate It on his seasonal debut, but perhaps he can follow her home.

Appreciate It: ran out a clear winner of the Supreme Novices' Hurdle in 2021Credit: Edward Whitaker

Andrew Mount

1Honeysuckle
2 Saint Roi
3 Epatante

Reigning champion Honeysuckle, unbeaten in her 14-race career, will be difficult to beat but this race still looks very playable from an each-way or without-the-favourite perspective. Saint Roi has yet to encounter a big field/strong pace scenario since graduating to Grade 1 level and the 2020 County Hurdle winner, fourth to Honeysuckle in the Irish Champion Hurdle last time, will be staying on strongly at the finish.

Tom Park

1 Honeysuckle
2 Epatante
3 Appreciate It

Honeysuckle has barely put a foot wrong in her unbeaten run of 14 victories, but there were signs of vulnerability during the final furlong of the Irish Champion Hurdle. I suspect she hit the front too soon, but her time was pretty average and, while I fully expect her to win, I’d be wary of backing her at such short odds. If Appreciate It can show his true ability he has a chance if the favourite is below par, but in truth I am expecting another electric festival performance from the great mare.

Maddy Playle

1 Honeysuckle
2 Epatante
3 Quilixios

The 7lb mares’ allowance could once again prove key in Grade 1 company and I think we will see the marvellous Honeysuckle again defeat 2020 heroine Epatante (third last year). Connections seem to fancy Appreciate It, but he comes with risks attached as he hasn’t been seen since his easy victory in the Supreme Novices’ and this race will present a totally new challenge. Last year’s Triumph Hurdle has worked out well and Quilixios is favoured to fill the places.

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