THE Champion Hurdle market has been shaken up by the injury to hot ante-post fancy State Man.
With Willie Mullins’ No1 out the way, he still has big chances with Mares’ Hurdle winner Lossiemouth and rising star Anzadam.
Owner Rich Ricci must have been gutted to see Golden Ace win last year’s Champion after his Lossiemouth swerved the race.
And it would be a shock if his star mare doesn’t go for the big one this time.
She would go very close but 3-1 and 7-2 looks on the skinny side at this stage, with The New Lion the same price for the Skeltons.
He won the Turners’ in battling style in March over 2m5f but he does have plenty of speed should he drop in distance.
That’s the plan but, again, you can’t get too excited about his current odds.
Anzadam has run just twice for Willie Mullins and took a Grade 3 nicely in the mud at Naas in January before being put away.
He’s in the same Donnelly ownership as State Man so could shape up to be a very nice substitute although 6-1 is already tight enough.
The one that is worth an early look is WILLIAM MUNNY at 12-1 in plenty of places.
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Champion Hurdle odds
What the bookies say…
Betfair spokesperson James Mackie said: “The news that 2024 Champion Hurdle winner State Man is now out for the season has sent ripples into two Cheltenham Festival markets.
“Lossiemouth is now the 3/1 favourite for the Grade 1 contest from 7/2 but the big story is her price of 7/4 for the Mares’ Hurdle is now out to 4/1 as it could cause a change of plans by trainer Willie Mullins in light of the news.”
Lee Phelps, spokesperson for William Hill ,said: “Following the news that Willie Mullins’ Champion Hurdle hope State Man has been ruled out for the season, Lossiemouth’s odds of victory in Tuesday’s Festival showpiece have been slashed to 7/2 favouritism from 6/1.
“State Man’s defection has also caused small moves for stablemate Anzadam and Constitution Hill in the betting, with the Fighting Fifth sure to make the picture clearer with a view to the festival.
“With the Champion Hurdle now looking a likelier destination for Lossiemouth, she may not be back to defend her Mares’ Hurdle crown, and we’ve pushed the two-time winner out from 2/1 to 3/1, with her being usurped by Gordon Elliott’s Wodhooh (5/2) as the market leader.”
Betfair – Champion Hurdle 2026 – EW Terms (1/5 Odds, 3 Places)
Lossiemouth 3/1
The New Lion 3/1
Constitution Hill 6/1
Anzadam 8/1
William Munny 12/1
Irancy 33/1
Kargese 33/1
Kawaboomga 33/1
Kopek Des Bordes 33/1
Lulamba 33/1
Salvator Mundi 33/1
Bar 50-1
He was a brilliant second in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle behind Kopek Des Bordes, who will go over fences this season.
He came up the hill strongly in what was just his fourth hurdles run and has potential to improve despite turning eight this January.
A slight setback has ruled him out of the Morgiana next weekend, which may not be a bad thing, and he’ll be back at Christmas.
We know trainer Barry Connell will aim him squarely at the Champion and knows how to get one ready for the big occasion.
That price is tempting enough to have an interest.
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