SOMEBODY asked me who I was going to back for the Champion Hurdle the other day. I replied in the style of Ruby Walsh: “I’m going to wait until the last possible moment and consider all the options. Why the rush?” Ruby must be getting bored of being quizzed about who he is going to ride in the Champion Hurdle, Faugheen or Hurricane Fly. I don’t blame him for biding his time… When it comes to taking a punt, it also makes sense to wait, especially as the state of the ground will be a major factor.

Last year’s Champion Hurdle was supposed to be THE race of the Cheltenham Festival. Sadly it failed to materialise after the fatal fall of Our Conor and the interference suffered by The New One. Jezki won his duel with My Tent Or Yours but I recall the unsatisfactory (and extremely sad) feeling across Prestbury Park after the race. This year, yet again, the StanJames.com Champion Hurdle could be the race of the meeting. Let’s hope that there’s no tragedy in a script that, potentially at least, has everything.

The old boy, Hurricane Fly, who has achieved more than any other hurdler, will try to regain his crown at the ripe old age of 11; The New One, so unlucky last year, bids for deserved compensation; Jezki tries to prove last year was no fluke; and Faugheen, the potential superstar who could be another Istabraq… Throw in the live outsider Arctic Fire, whom Wiillie Mullins was bullish about recently, and there are five possible winners of this great race.

Jezki is tough and his season has been geared towards this one race. But I can’t see him beating either The New One or Faugheen. The latter is still unproven in my eyes. He is unbeaten and done everything right but if he is upsides The New One at the last then will he have the speed to outpace the apple of Sam Twiston-Davies’ eye? Possibly… we just don’t know…

Then there’s Hurricane Fly. One of my earliest memories of Cheltenham was John Francome’s brilliant ride on Sea Pigeon in 1981. It was masterful and provided proof that an 11-year-old can win the Champion Hurdle. Hatton’s Grace is the only other 11-year-old to win the race and the roof will come off if “The Fly” somehow manages to win.

Actually, I may not have a bet. This race is for the purists to enjoy, a fantastic spectacle with every possible ingredient. But if I do I’ll remain loyal to THE NEW ONE. Yes, he was unconvincing at Haydock last time, but put a line through that run as he hated the ground. If it comes down to speed, The New One has it in spades and the race could be set up for him nicely if Faugheen makes the running. But The New One will need decent ground. Good ground would be perfect but if it’s soft then he won’t win. Indeed, if it’s soft, The Fly will seriously enter the equation…

For more information on Cheltenham, check out this useful Gold Guide to Cheltenham.