Sublimity, winner of last season's Champion Hurdle, has inevitably been installed the 9/4 favourite by race sponsors Boylesports for Saturday’s International Hurdle at Cheltenham. The seven-time winner, who has not been seen since his surprise victory over Brave Inca in March, is no good thing, however, as he faces a strong challenge from several Champion Hurdle pretenders including Afsoun (beaten just over 3 lengths by Sublimity in March), fellow Irish raider Macs Joy, and last season’s gutsy Triumph Hurdle winner Katchit.

With so many horses running below their best and Hardy Eustace and Brave Inca cutting each other’s throats upfront, the jury’s still out on the worth of Sublimity’s Champion Hurdle win. That said, he did it with ease and, after just six starts over hurdles, he’s fully entitled to improve further. That is also a worry, however. His infrequent appearances suggest he isn’t the easiest horse to train and, with his trainer John Carr reporting him not fully wound up for his return, the alarm bells should be ringing for punters.

But where is the challenge going to come from? Macs Joy (11/2 William Hill) could only finish fourth on his seasonal debut and looks to be a declining force over hurdles, whilst Katchit (9/2 Boylesports) is trying to beat older horses for the second time after being readily outpointed on the run-in at Newcastle last time. Afsoun also came unstuck last time out when narrowly beaten by Hardy Eustace at Ascot, but that was over 2m4f and a return to 2m in what is likely to be a strongly run race is surely what he needs right now. Nothing was going better than him coming into the straight at Ascot and in-running punters would have been betting their shirts on him at that point. If anything, however, he was doing too much and had little left in the locker at the finish, albeit against a tough opponent and after his jockey had lost his whip after jumping the last.

After that run, connections initially decided to step him up to 3m with the World Hurdle touted as an option, but they’ve since decided to go back to 2m and they can be vindicated here. You’ve only got to look back on his performances last season to see that this horse needs a strongly run 2m, which is exactly what he got in the Champion Hurdle when finishing third, no mean feat for a five year-old. He was also hugely impressive when winning Haydock’s Champion Hurdle Trial by nine lengths, and it’s possible he has improved since then. Back him at 9/2 (Boylesports, Paddy Power) to win on Saturday and also have a bit on now for the Champion Hurdle at 16/1 with sportingbet, as his odds will surely be clipped if he wins as expected.

This race is one of seven races being sponsored by Boylesports, who are offering their punters a great concession. Should your horse finish second to the SP favourite they will refund your stake for all single-only bets. “We’re sponsoring seven races, but this concession will be in operation for all 14 races at the meeting“, said company spokesman Leon Blanche.

Recommended Bets:

Afsoun 3pt @ 9/2 Boylesports, Paddy Power
Afsoun (Champion Hurdle) 1pt each way @ 16/1 sportingbet