Cheltenham Festival dark horse working well for Champion Hurdle bid

Unibet Champion Hurdle dark horse Coeur Sublime is in rude health for his Cheltenham rematch with Pentland Hills, according to owner Chris Jones, with connections hoping he can reverse the form of last year's JCB Triumph Hurdle.

The Gordon Elliott-trained five-year-old, who finished second to Nicky Henderson's hurdler at the 2019 festival, has not been seen since a below-par third in the Matheson Hurdle at Leopardstown in December but is reported to be in fine shape since.

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"He had a break after his last run and came back home to us for a change of scenery before returning to Gordon," said Jones of the 20-1 chance.

"It's all systems go for the Champion Hurdle, hopefully he'll run well."

He added: "I think he worked very well during the week, they're very happy with him and I hope they're right.

Coeur Sublime is available at 20-1 for the Unibet Champion HurdleCredit: Alain Barr

"His run in last year's Triumph Hurdle was super and he's generally been consistent, while also being unlucky on a couple of occasions last year."

Elliott suggested that Coeur Sublime's breathing would be examined in the aftermath of his Christmas defeat and Jones says minor adjustments have been made in the interim.

"He hasn't had a wind operation since his last run, we just tinkered with his palate a little," he explained.

"His wind is perfect but we had a little job done on his palate because there was a suggestion it might have been shifting a little."

Champion Hurdle card and betting

Jones looks set to bring a strong squad to the festival, with plenty of firepower in the handicap chases, including the Henry de Bromhead-trained Paloma Blue, who features towards the top of the Grand Annual ante-post markets.

"Paloma had to give a lot of weight away at Leopardstown when he didn't have a huge amount of luck in-running," he said of the best-priced 16-1 chance.

"He ran a cracker finishing second after jumping great down the back so hopefully he'll be bang there in the Grand Annual."

Jones is also responsible for the second favourite in the Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate in the shape of Ben Dundee, a creditable third behind A Plus Tard at last year's festival.

"He ran very well 12 months ago and Keith Donoghue said he thought he was going to win at the top of the hill," explained Jones.

Ben Dundee shaped well when third at last year's festival behind A Plus TardCredit: Alain Barr

"He's had the benefit of that experience and runs very well fresh so he also came home to Dunshaughlin for a holiday and seems well since."

He added: "The plan is for Mitchouka to run in the Northern Trust Company Novices' Handicap Chase. Hopefully a stiff two and a half miles will suit him.

"Cedarwood Road won't run in the Supreme but instead could go to Naas on March 8 for a Listed novice hurdle.

"Jarob and Space Cadet are entered in the Glenfarclas Cross Country. We'll probably bring Jarob but if the ground is as it is now I'd imagine won't run. We still think there's a big one in Space Cadet but we have to try to find it."

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