Conditional Charlie Hammond gets shock call-up to ride in Champion Hurdle

Conditional jockey Charlie Hammond is relishing the prospect of riding in Tuesday's Unibet Champion Hurdle after being booked for outsider Le Patriote.

Hammond, who will not be able to use his 3lb claim in the Grade 1 contest, receives regular backing from Le Patriote's trainer Richard Newland and has got the surprise call-up to ride in Cheltenham's day one highlight.

"I got a text from my agent Dave Roberts on Thursday afternoon saying I'll be riding in the Champion Hurdle and I'm excited," he said.

"I thought there might be a slight possibility but I didn't dare believe it, and it's going to be the biggest race I've ridden in by a country mile.

"There's no pressure on me as I'm on the outsider, but obviously I won't be able to claim so it's a massive bit of faith from the boss and the owners."

Conditionals riding in the Champion Hurdle is a rare occurrence, with David Mullins and Harry Derham among those to do so in recent times.

But Hammond has experience around Cheltenham to fall back on, having had six rides at last year's festival and two winners at the track away from the biggest meeting of the season.

Champion Hurdle runners and riders

Le Patriote, who won last year's Swinton Hurdle under Sam Twiston-Davies, is the 100-1 outsider in the betting for the Champion Hurdle.

With Twiston-Davies riding Ballyandy and Richard Johnson due to partner Gumball, Hammond has been given his chance and he will be able to draw encouragement from the performance of Silver Streak 12 months ago, as he had won the Swinton before finishing third in the Champion Hurdle as an unconsidered 80-1 shot.

Le Patriote clears a flight en route to victory in the Swinton HurdleCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"Le Patriote is 150-rated, so he's no slouch, and he always travels with a bit of class," added Hammond, who has ridden 55 winners.

"People are saying it's an open race and if the first-time blinkers can spark him up a bit, he might be able to fight out the minor places."

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