Hurricane Fly eased for Champion Hurdle despite record breaking victory

Hurricane Fly is 5-1 (from 4-1) with Coral for next year’s Champion Hurdle, after the nine-year-old made a workmanlike return to action with victory at Punchestown this afternoon. The New One is now the clear 4-1 favourite for the Cheltenham showpiece, with Our Conor also 5-1.

“The record-breaking Hurricane Fly remains a leading contender for next March’s championship, but his victory lacked any great sparkle, and with the likes of The New One, Our Conor and My Tent Or Yours waiting to challenge him, he could face an extremely tough defence of his crown,” said Coral’s David Stevens.

On a busy day of ante-post clues, The Liquidator is 12-1 (from 20-1) for the Supreme Novices’ and 14-1 (from 20-1) for the Neptune after his Cheltenham success, and Dodging Bullets is 16-1 for the Racing Post Arkle, while Kid Cassidy earned a 20-1 quote for the Champion Chase after his defeat of Sire De Grugy.

“Sire De Grugy failed to enhance his claims as a genuine rival to Sprinter Sacre and remains 16-1 for the Champion Chase, while Kid Cassidy is unlikely to give his stablemate too many sleepless nights also,” reckoned Coral’s David Stevens.

**Betfair Chase
2 Bobs Worth, 9-4 Silviniaco Conti, 6 Cue Card, Dynaste, 9 Long Run, 10 Tidal Bay, 12 First Lieutenant, 16 The Giant Bolster, 20 Imperial Commander, Roi Du Mee, 25 Harry Topper, Prince De Beauchene, 33 Bar

**Hennessy Gold Cup
7 Invictus, 8 Rocky Creek, 10 Hadrian’s Approach, Lord Windermere, Our Father, 12 Highland Lodge, Houblons Des Obeaux, Katenko, Unioniste, 14 Imperial Commander, On His Own, Rolling Aces, Tidal Bay, 16 Bar

**King George VI Chase
5 Dynaste, 6 Bobs Worth, Silviniaco Conti, 7 Cue Card, 8 Long Run, 9 Sir Des Champs, 12 Al Ferof, Flemenstar, 16 Captain Chris, Katenko, Lord Windermere, 20 Menorah, Mount Benbulben, The Giant Bolster, Tidal Bay, 25 Captain Conan, Invictus, Riverside Theatre, 33 Bar

**Skybet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
8 West Wizard, 10 Briar Hill, 12 The Liquidator, 16 Minella Foru, Regal Encore, 20 Faugheen, First Mohican, Golantilla, Moyle Park, Tiger Cliff, Union Dues, Urubu D’Irlande, 25 Oscar Rock, Blackmail, Carriganog, Gone Too Far, Garde La Victoire, Very Wood, Volnay De Thaix,

**Racing Post Arkle
3 Champagne Fever, 12 Grandouet, 14 River Maigue, Chatterbox, 16 Dodging Bullets, Felix Yonger, Oscar Whisky, Melodic Rendezvous, 20 Puffin Billy, Ned Buntline,