Champ in bid to live up to his name in the Novices’ Hurdle

CHAMP will bid to live up to his name in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham today.

The Nicky Hendersontrained seven-year-old carries the silks of JP McManus and was named after none other than multiple champion jockey Sir Anthony McCoy.

The seven-year-old has met with defeat just once over hurdles, on his debut, and is seeking his fifth win in a row after Grade One success in the Challow Novices’ Hurdle at Newbury.

Henderson said: “This time last year we left him as a novice. We went to Perth to win his maiden, then went to Newton Abbot to win another and then put him away for the summer.

“He has won two races at Newbury impressively. He ran away with Aidan Coleman halfway down the back straight the first time. I thought he would never get home from there, and he flew.

“Then he won the Challow. People are sceptical about the Challow form, in that horses that have come out of it haven’t run well. I think the horse has the right credentials. He is a good horse that is improving.

“He is named after AP (McCoy). It’s a burden he has to bear and I hope he can carry it. He has a great chance, but he is not in superstar status yet.

“He has been good since Newbury, but it will be a tough race.”

An obvious danger to Champ is the Gordon Elliott-trained Battleoverdoyen, with the pair vying for favouritism.

The Gigginstown House Stud-owned six-year-old has an unblemished career record and most recently struck at Grade One level in the Lawlor’s of Naas Novices’ Hurdle in January. Elliott said: “Battleoverdoyen is in good form. I didn’t run him at Leopardstown at the Dublin Racing Festival as he had three quick runs and I wanted to give him a break.

“He jumps very well and I’ve been pleased with his work.”