Festival Focus - World Hurdle 2015

Tout Infinity and Beyond - Un Temps Pour Tout can justify the hype in the World Hurdle.

It could look like there’s an element of stealing other people’s tips here given that two tipsters that I have a lot of time for have also put up the same horse that I’m about to for the World Hurdle as well in recent days.

However a look back at my ten to follow post for this national hunt season from last September will show that even back then I was weighing up this horse for the top contests over hurdles this term.

I am of course talking about David Pipe’s expensive French import Un Temps Pout Tout.

Not yet seen this season, Pipe recently announced that he is set to reappear in the Cleeve Hurdle next Saturday with a World Hurdle tilt the aim.

As such, in a wide open looking renewal of the staying contest now looks the time to back him, as a good run – and he does go well fresh – in the Cleeve will surely see his price come in further.

A stand out 20/1 at the moment with Ladbrokes (although they aren’t NRNB at present, but the risk looks worth it) the Pond House inmate built on his high class French form with three good efforts last season after making the switch to Pipe for an astronomical fee.

Festival Focus - World Hurdle

Ultimate Warrior - Bog Warrior can continue his redemption in the World Hurdle

The 2013 Cheltenham Festival and Thursday’s feature the Ladbrokes World Hurdle will both be lesser events for the absence of the legendary Big Buck’s.

However although we won’t get to see the great staying hurdler attempt a remarkable fifth straight win in the race, his absence ensures the contest is more open than it’s been in years and looks a fascinating renewal.

Since Big Buck’s’ defection from the race the market has been in disarray with at one point or another several horses who look nailed on to run elsewhere during the week topping the betting.

Things have got a little more sensible in recent weeks however, even though Quevega still occupies a spot towards the head of the market in spite of it all but having been confirmed she’ll go for another Mares Hurdle rather than go for the World Hurdle.

Just to quickly get several others prominent in the betting that simply won’t run out of the way too, Grands Crus looks unlikely to revert to hurdles at this stage in spite of his recent poor form over fences. Having had a Big Buck’s-esque season over fences though were he to turn up here it could be ominous and if back to his best he’d be a key player, that all looks unlikely to be the case at present though.

Cape Tribulation will now almost certainly go for the Gold Cup following his Argento win while Dynaste will be in a novice chase event, most likely the RSA and Riverside Theatre looks set to defend his Ryanair crown.