The questions that matter as Silver Streak bids to earn crack at Champion Hurdle

The New One Unibet Hurdle (Grade 2) | 1m7½f, 4yo+ | ITV4/RTV

Silver Streak has come an awfully long way in the last two years, having won a handicap hurdle at Taunton off a BHA mark of just 96 on the penultimate day of 2016.

He has since won another four times in handicap company, including in the valuable Swinton Hurdle here last May, and was beaten just a length and three-quarters when attempting to give Brain Power 4lb in the Grade 2 International Hurdle at Cheltenham.

His rating is now 156 and trainer Evan Williams said: "We face difficult tasks from now on, don’t we? Every step we take with him now is going to be very difficult to win - almost impossible.

"But it’s lovely to be taking part and have a horse with a back story like his, because that’s what the game is all about. Win, lose or draw we’ll enjoy every step of the way with this fella. He’s earned his place in these races, but we have to be realistic. They are fiendishly difficult to win.

"I’ve got plenty of confidence in my horse because the one thing he is, is a really hard battler; he’s so tough. We’re not scared to go anywhere or take anyone on with him."

Unibet Champion Hurdle card and betting

Will Mohaayed progress from smart handicapper to Champion Hurdle contender?

Last season’s County Hurdle winner earned another big handicap prize when landing the £150,000 Betfair Exchange Trophy Hurdle at Ascot last month.

Watch Mohaayed win at Ascot

That performance earned another 8lb rise in his BHA rating and the chance to take on Grade 2 opposition.

Trainer Dan Skelton said: "Everyone knows what regard we hold him in. He's got to take on some of these horses that have been running in conditions races and see where we stand but I think he has a great chance."

Can Global Citizen put his Christmas Hurdle effort behind him?

Ben Pauling is confident that Global Citizen is better than he showed when finishing fourth behind Verdana Blue in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day.

His previously progressive seven-year-old had won the Gerry Feilden Hurdle at Newbury earlier last month and the trainer said: "He never got into a rhythm at Kempton and he hung very badly but he was still only beaten 13 lengths by the reigning Champion Hurdler.

"We have given him a little tweak and he's in fabulous form. I couldn't be happier with him. He won on soft at Newbury so the ground isn't a worry and going back left-handed is a positive, so I hope he can be very competitive."

Global Citizen: reported to be in 'fabulous form'Credit: Paul Harding

Could Western Ryder turn the tables on his two recent conquerors?

Western Ryder finished just over three lengths behind Mohaayed at Ascot last month and is 4lb better off, the same advantage he holds over Silver Streak, who finished one place ahead of him in the International Hurdle at Cheltenham previously.

Trainer Warren Greatrex said: "He's had a bit of a break and he seems in good form. It's obviously quite a close race and it's question of eking out a little more improvement - if he does that, he'll be bang there."

What chance of a Pingshou revival?

Pingshou has been well held in two runs over fences this season but was a Grade 1 novice hurdle winner in 2016-17.

Trainer Colin Tizzard said: "He missed last season and we tried him in novice chases and it looks a bit late in the day for it so we're having a look to see if he can be competitive, like he was two years ago."

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