Hills to hit peak in Champion challenge

PENTLAND HILLS can put himself back in the limelight by winning the Unibet Champion Hurdle on day one of the Cheltenham Festival.

As the racing world convenes in the Cotswolds again for its annual March pilgrimage, the chorus is deafening from those proclaiming this year’s renewal of the famous race as far from vintage.

It is true no contender has yet appeared vastly superior this winter and as such, an open race is in prospect and has attracted several hopefuls who might not have given it a shot in other circumstances.

That is not true of Pentland Hills, who was a shock but impressive winner of last year’s JCB Triumph Hurdle over course and distance - from the reopposing Coeur Sublime - and followed up, with a little less to spare, in the Doom Bar Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle at Aintree.

He has failed to deliver as yet in just two runs this season, and there is often folly in being seduced by a young horse’s unexposed profile and the lure of early promise.

Nonetheless, Pentland Hills still exudes the same level of ability and - like last year’s ill-fated winner Espoir D’Allen - can put it all together when it matters most to make it back-to-back five-yearold winners of this championship race.

Of those who appeal at bigger odds to perhaps chase home the new champion, there may be merit in supporting Evan Williams’ strategy of treating last year’s third Silver Streak as a bona fide Grade One contender this time round.

Likely favourite Epatante, Nicky Henderson’s first string ahead of Pentland Hills, was too good for Silver Streak at Kempton on Boxing Day.

But doubts over her ability to handle this track and occasion persist, following her only defeat to date in this country when a well-beaten favourite in the mares’ novices’ hurdle last March - so at the current odds, it makes sense to look elsewhere.