Pentland Hills may prove Champion class as Henderson looks to fill Buveur void

The potential loss of Buveur D'Air from the Cheltenham Festival picture still leaves Nicky Henderson with four potential contenders for the Unibet Champion Hurdle next March. Betting editor Keith Melrose and Bruce Jackson consider their chances

Verdana Blue
In terms of ability, Verdana Blue's peak RPR of 164 puts her right in the Champion Hurdle picture. She would have won two of the last four, in fact. The issue is her best performances have come on flatter tracks on quicker ground and the Champion Hurdle may never play to her strengths. The sharper Old course is her friend, in relative terms, but it is a real rarity for the ground on day one of the festival to come up quick: even if weather conditions were to allow it, the hosepipe would not. The Christmas Hurdle is her rightful cup final. [Keith Melrose]

Star rating: 2/5
Best Price: 33-1

Pentland Hills
Completed the Cheltenham-Aintree double as a juvenile, despite being a latecomer to hurdling. He had the advantage of 11 Flat runs behind him, admittedly, but that works the other way as it shows he knows his job. Given it was a fairly weak year for juveniles, he goes into his second season with improvement required in form terms – it is fair to say an RPR of 148 is some way off cutting it for a Champion Hurdle hope. The good news for him is he very much appeals as the type of two-miler who will thrive at Cheltenham, where the last reserves of stamina are eked from the speediest types. [Keith Melrose]
Star rating: 3/5
Best price: 9-1