2021 Champion Hurdle: the runners, the odds, the verdict

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1 Abacadabras

Nearly won the Supreme Novices' Hurdle on this card last year and looks very interesting back at Cheltenham.

Trainer: Denise Foster
Jockey: Jack Kennedy
Odds: 9-1

Abacadabras: runner-up in last year's Supreme Novices' HurdleCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

2 Aspire Tower

Smart front-runner but needs a career best, his top effort to now coming when he was second to Sharjah in the Matheson.

Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
Jockey: Robbie Power
Odds: 14-1

Champion Hurdle card and betting

3 Goshen

Desperately unlucky in last year's Triumph, which he had at his mercy when unseating at the last. Put up a dazzling display in the Kingwell Hurdle last time.

Trainer: Gary Moore
Jockey: Jamie Moore
Odds: 7-2

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4 James Du Berlais

Progressive hurdler in France, but faces a baptism of fire on his debut for Willie Mullins.

Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Daryl Jacob
Odds: 22-1

5 Not So Sleepy

Enthusiastic front runner. This race didn't go his way last year but he again faces a stiff task on ratings.

Trainer: Hughie Morrison
Jockey: Jonathan Burke
Odds: 66-1

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6 Saldier

Won the 2019 Morgiana Hurdle. Has been well beaten in two major races since returning to action.

Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Danny Mullins
Odds: 50-1

7 Sharjah

Looks well capable of being involved, having finished second to Epatante in this contest 12 months ago.

Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Paul Townend
Odds: 14-1

Sharjah: three-time winner of the Grade 1 Matheson HurdleCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

8 Silver Streak

This gallant grey may struggle to confirm Christmas Hurdle placings with Epatante.

Trainer: Evan Williams
Jockey: Tom O'Brien
Odds: 14-1

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9 Epatante

Top-class mare and defending champion. She has been treated for her back issue since her Christmas Hurdle defeat.

Trainer: Nicky Henderson
Jockey: Aidan Coleman
Odds: 10-3

Epatante races clear of the field in last year's Champion HurdleCredit: Edward Whitaker

10 Honeysuckle

Brilliant mare, still unbeaten. Beat Abacadabras by ten lengths in the Irish Champion Hurdle last time.

Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
Jockey: Rachael Blackmore
Odds: 9-4

The Verdict

Honeysuckle remains unbeaten and is taken to land the biggest hurdling prize of all. Goshen and Abacadabras are also firmly in the mix, both having gone close to winning at the Cheltenham Festival last year.

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