Reigning champion can keep hold of his crown

Mar 11 2008 by Chris Wright, Liverpool Daily Post

LAST season Sublimity provided a shock when winning the Smurfit-Kappa Champion Hurdle (3.15pm). But today he can show it was no fluke by landing back-to-back triumphs.

John Carr’s eight-year-old scored by three lengths in the two-mile hurdling championship, beating former winners Brave Inca and Hardy Eustace.

Since then he has been trained for a repeat. He has only had one run back at Cheltenham when fourth to one of today’s chief rivals Osana, but he has trodden a similar path to last year.

He can land the spoils ahead of fellow Irish raiders Sizing Europe, impressive in winning the Irish version at Leopardstown, and Ebaziyan – who took the Supreme Novices Hurdle at the Festival last year.

The Irish Independent Arkle Trophy Chase (2.35pm) looks wide open. But two northern-trained horses, Tidal Bay and Leslingtaylor, look to hold decent claims.

The latter beat the former at Doncaster last time, but that was as much down to Tidal Bay’s sketchy jumping, as John Quinn’s versatile six-year-old’s ability.

Howard Johnson’s Tidal Bay racked up a treble in his first three chase starts.

If the seven-year-old’s jumping holds out with Denis O’Regan back on board he looks the most likely winner.

Leslingtaylor is each-way value and may be better next month at Aintree.

The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (2pm) starts the Festival and it looks another open event, but the Paul Nicholls-trained Rippling Ring can build on his six-length success on his only outing in Britain.

Ashkazar can land the £75,000 bonus for trainer David Pipe for a second successive year in the Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (5.20pm).

He won the Sunderland’s Imperial Cup at Sandown on Saturday and can follow in Gaspara’s hoofprints, who landed the same double for Pipe last year.

Tony Martin’s Wonderkid can win the BGC Handicap Chase (4.40pm). While previous Festival winner King Harald can add more glory in the William Hill Trophy Chase (4pm).

CHELTENHAM PREDICTIONS (Day One):

2pm Rippling Ring

2.35pm (Arkle Trophy) Tidal Bay

3.15pm (Champion Hurdle) 1 SUBLIMITY 2 Sizing Europe 3 Ebaziyan

4pm King Harald (NAP)

4.40pm Wonderkid

5.20pm Ashkazar