Who is the best bet in the Champion Hurdle after Lossiemouth and Sir Gino statements of intent?

This season’s Champion Hurdle division is looking red-hot after Lossiemouth and Sir Gino both landed Grade 1s over the weekend in hugely impressive style.

With Constitution Hill battling to regain full fitness and defending champion State Man suffering an unexpected defeat to Brighterdaysahead in the Morgiana Hurdle, the new generation suddenly look to have a leg up on the last two Champion Hurdle winners, at least according to the market. If you were having a bet now, who is the best value?

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Champion Hurdle latest betting

Unibet Champion Hurdle (Cheltenham, March 11)

Paddy Power: 6-4 Lossiemouth, 4 Sir Gino, 9-2 Constitution Hill, State Man, 12 Brighterdaysahead, 33 Mystical Power, 40 Anzadam, Burdett Road, Marine Nationale, 50 bar

'Lossiemouth is a rancid price'

It would be easy to sit on the fence with the big four and so many unknowns. But I won't – Lossiemouth is a rancid price at a general 7-4 and the market has overreacted to her Hatton's Grace win on Sunday.

She looked impressive at Fairyhouse, but they absolutely dawdled round – she ran the circuit from the final hurdle to the line slower than other winners on the card Naturally Nimble, Tounsivator and Washington. Yes, she produced some reasonable closing splits, but what were the opposition riders thinking? Their mounts had all won over three miles, but the Hatton's Grace was turned into a sprint against the pacey mare.

The 7lb allowance she'd get in the Champion Hurdle is generous, but I'm not on board with the hype yet.

I was more taken with Sir Gino at Newcastle, although I wanted to see a better finishing effort, and while I greatly respect State Man, he's never beaten a great horse at their peak (Honeysuckle was below her best).

Then we have Constitution Hill. Is he the best of these? Yes, easily. Can I be dogmatic about him running in the Champion Hurdle, let alone near his peak? No. But if you forced me, he's the bet at 9-2.
Matt Butler, deputy news editor

'I'm happy to side with Sir Gino'

It could be a barnstorming Champion Hurdle if all the leading contenders turn up, but having been at Newcastle for Sir Gino's dazzling Fighting Fifth Hurdle display I'm happy to side with him.

You had to be impressed with what Lossiemouth did in the Hatton's Grace, but at the prices I want to take her on and the potential with Sir Gino is just endless. Four-year-olds are meant to find the season after their juvenile campaign hard, but he blew his rivals away.

Sir Gino: an emphatic winner of the Fighting FifthCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Admittedly, he'll need to step up on beating Lump Sum and improve his hurdling technique too, but he's learning all the time.

Cheltenham may not be where State Man really excels at, while you cannot back Constitution Hill until we've seen him run, which leaves Sir Gino as the only viable alternative.
Matt Rennie, reporter

'Lossiemouth's mares' allowance looks a gift'

When it comes to ante-post betting I like to find something at a bit of a price with the potential to shorten, but the Champion Hurdle doesn't really lend itself to that sort of bet.

That is because the top end of the market is so heavily loaded with quality and it is hard to see anything lurking in the long grass that might emerge to threaten the big four of Lossiemouth, Sir Gino, Constitution Hill and State Man.

Lossiemouth has done the most to enhance her claims by demolishing Teahupoo in the Hatton's Grace and rightly heads the market, with her 7lb mares' allowance looking a gift.

Sir Gino made a pleasing start against older horses for the first time in the Fighting Fifth, but history shows it can be tough for his age group.

Given all his problems, you just can't consider Constitution Hill at this stage and for all you have to admire State Man's record, he would be susceptible to a genuine superstar.

Therefore, I'd rather be a backer of Lossiemouth at 7-4 than any of the other three at their prices.
Andrew Dietz, reporter

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