Smurfit Champion Hurdle

Smurfit Champion Hurdle

1515 GMT, Tuesday 11 March, 2003

Pinstickers' 1-2-3:
1 Intersky Falcon, 2 Hors La Loi III , 3 Copeland

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1 1202U1-0 COPELAND
8 Martin Pipe Tony McCoy
Last horse to beat Intersky Falcon, and could represent each-way value. Champion trainer Martin Pipe will have him primed.
Rating: 8/10. Odds: 25-1

2 1/21-111 FLAME CREEK (IRE)
7 Noel Chance Seamus Durack
Only runner at the 2003 Festival for trainer Noel Chance, who has won the Gold Cup twice. Horse is unbeaten this season and may still be on the upgrade.
Rating: 7/10. Odds: 12-1

3 611/3-000 HOLY ORDERS (IRE)
6 Willie Mullins IRE JR Barry
Irish trainer Willie Mullins boasts a terrific Festival record, but this is far from being one of his best chances of success.
Rating: 5/10. Odds: 100-1

4 3311-F43 HORS LA LOI III (FR)
8 James Fanshawe Tony Dobbin
Ignore his disappointing runs earlier in the season - this is a horse who comes into his own this time of year and loves Cheltenham. Reigning champion.
Rating: 8/10. Odds: 14-1

5 3 IBERUS (GER)
5 Martin Pipe Tom Scudamore
Trained by the master Martin Pipe. But surely even he cannot induce the improvement needed to figure here.
Rating: 5/10. Odds: 200-1

6 311-3F34 IN CONTRAST (IRE)
7 Philip Hobbs Barry Geraghty
Clearly likes the track - boasts four wins at the Cheltenham course. Thrives on good ground. Rating: 7/10. Odds: 33-1

7 12-1111 INTERSKY FALCON
6 Jonjo O'Neill Liam Cooper
Only out of the places once in 16 starts. Part-owned by Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer. Classy.
Rating: 9/10. Odds: 10-3

8 1156-42 LANDING LIGHT (IRE)
8 Nicky Henderson Mick Fitzgerald
In with a shout on his best form. Finished fifth, beaten four lengths, by Hors La Loi III in the 2002 Champion Hurdle.
Rating: 7/10. Odds: 14-1

9 1P2-345 MARBLE ARCH
7 Hughie Morrison Timmy Murphy
Second to Hors La Loi III in the 2002 Champion Hurdle. That run may have flattered him.
Rating: 7/10. Odds: 16-1

10 12-11111 RHINESTONE COWBOY (IRE)
7 Jonjo O'Neill Norman Williamson
Unlucky to finish second in the 2002 Festival Bumper. Has impressed all season, and looks a class act.
Rating: 8/10. Odds: 2-1F

11 214-1111 ROOSTER BOOSTER
9 Philip Hobbs Richard Johnson
Hugely improved since win in the County Hurdle at the 2002 Festival. Respected.
Rating: 7/10. Odds: 5-1

12 P14-112 SANTENAY (FR)
5 Paul Nicholls Ruby Walsh
Not without a squeak judged on his three-length second to Intersky Falcon at Kempton on Boxing Day.
Rating: 7/10. Odds: 33-1

13 012121-0 SCOLARDY (IRE)
5 Willie Mullins IRE David Casey
Won the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2002. Disappointed on his reappearance in February. Rating: 6/10. Odds: 50-1

14 011-5124 SCOTTISH MEMORIES (IRE)
7 Noel Meade IRE Paul Carberry
Has been well beaten before by most of the leading contenders. Looks an also-ran.
Rating: 5/10. Odds: 33-1

15 4332 SELF DEFENSE
6 Emma Lavelle Francis Keniry
Don't take his close Sandown second to Rooster Booster at face value - conditions were much heavier than Cheltenham will be.
Rating: 3/10. Odds: 100-1

16 11022-3 WESTENDER (FR)
7 Martin Pipe Rodi Greene
Won twice at Cheltenham in 2001, and then ran a cracker in second to Like-A-Butterfly. A possible each-way proposition
Rating: 7/10. Odds: 33-1

17 111113-1 LIKE-A-BUTTERFLY (IRE)
9 Christy Roche IRE Charlie Swan
Owned by JP McManus, who enjoyed three Champion Hurdle wins with Istabraq. Hard to argue with nine wins from 10 races, but this is a step up.
Rating: 8/10. Odds: 6-1

Odds: William Hill Organisation Ltd