World Hurdle Preview

LADBROKES WORLD HURDLE GRADE 1 (CLASS 1) (4yo+)
Distance: 3m Going: Soft Channel: CH4

The main talking point in the build up to this race has been more about the horses that won't be running than those that will be. Big Buck's, winner of the last four renewals and the ante post odds on favourite, is out injured and won't run again until the 2014 World Hurdle. The 2011 runner up and another possible leading fancy, Grands Crus, will also miss the race and the Festival and head to Aintree for his next run. That leaves this year's race wide open.

Nicky Henderson's OSCAR WHISKY currently leads the market. He was fifth in the race last term before winning the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle last April. He won his first two starts this season before narrowly being beat out in the Cleeve Hurdle by Reve De Sivola in January. That was the horses first run over three miles.

REVE DE SIVOLA has reverted to hurdling this season and probably holds the best form in this race. He was beaten 9l by Big Buck's at the start of December in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury. His first run in 12 months. He followed that up with two wins in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot and the Cleeve Hurdle over course and distance. The Nick Williams horse is one of the genuine stayers in the race.

QUEVEGA is an interesting prospect. The Willie Mullins charge is entered for the Mares Hurdle on Tuesday, a race she has won for the past four seasons, but it wouldn't be a surprise to see her run in this too. She has won the last two renewals of the World Series Hurdle in Ireland and will definitely see out the three miles.

BOG WARRIOR has been a revelation this season back over hurdles. He is three from three this term defeating both Solwhit and Zaidpour in his last two outings. In fact he is won all but one of his hurdle races. His only defeat coming after a fall in 2011. The one main concern would be if the ground dries out. He would much prefer softer going.

Jonjo O'Neill runs GET ME OUT OF HERE for JP McManus with AP McCoy likely to ride. This horse was last seen out when pulling out in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day. Before that he a long way fourth behind Oscar Whisky in the Ascot Hurdle.

PEDDLER'S CROSS at one time was looking like a champion chaser in the making but that never materialized. He has been brought back to hurdles to try an recapture some sort of form that saw him run Hurricane Fly close in the Champion Hurdle in 2011. His first run this term was a second behind Sam Winner in a bumper on the all weather before winning a minor race Musselburgh over 2m6f last month. Whether he is back near his best, we will have to wait and see.

SOLWHIT has been a steady performer over hurdles and has not been out of the top two in his last seven starts. He has some good form behind Hurricane Fly but the big worry would be whether he has the stamina for three miles. Most of his runs have been over or around two miles.

Paul Nicholls confirmed WONDERFUL CHARM for the World Hurdle earlier this week diverting him away from a run in the Coral Cup. That makes his lining up here very noteworthy. He is currently trading around 10/1 and that could look a bargain Thursday evening. The horse is a five year old French import. He has had one run over hurdles in the UK winning well over 2m4f at Chepstow.

Of the rest the Alan King Smad Place maybe worth a look on last year's third in the race. Willie Mullins has So Young, Teaforthree and Zaidpour entered. Zaidpour could have some good each way value as could Paul Nicholls runners Celestial Halo.

Verdict
This is a wide open race with no Big Buck's and no Grands Crus. Oscar Whisky and Reve De Sivola will ensure a solid race. Bog Warrior has a very good hurdles record but it may pay to put your faith in WONDERFUL CHARM as the heir to Big Buck's.

This is arguably the most competitive Grade One of the week,a tremendous heat with a plethora of runners holding a chance.Oscar Whisky and Reve De Sivola will lock horns again,they fought out a thriller here on Trials Day and its a coin toss again as to which way it will go,i did however think that Oscar would get his revenge on a slightly better surface,if its better than soft come Thursday then i would just side with the Henderson charge in his individual battle.Reve De Sivola had looked very impressive at Ascot and put the rest to bed with a powerful performance although i have always had the impression that hes needed deep ground to be seen to best effect.Peddlers Cross is a real fly in the oitment,top class over timber two seasons ago he lost himself over fences last year and whilst its hard to wax lyrical about his Musselburgh win being up to the scratch of former days theres always that niggle that if he did come right back to his very best then he'd make them all go.The same can also be said of Solwhit,high class over shorter in previous days,a reproduction of his absolute best would put him in here but with plenty of miles on the clock and age creeping up on him his winning chance at a Festival looks to have passed him by.Wonderful Charm is difficult to weigh up,his Chepstow win was likeable but World Hurdle winner? i dont think so for all that the stable has to be respected.
A real cracking heat,just hope it lives up to its billing.I just favour Oscar Whisky to outgun his old foe Reve De Sivola.
1.OSCAR WHISKY
2.REVE DE SIVOLA
3.PEDDLERS CROSS