Shock news emerged earlier this week that Champion Hurdle favourite Faugheen will miss Cheltenham Festival 2016 due to a leg injury. Faugheen was considered the heavy favourite to defend his Champion Hurdle crown, and was priced at odds of 2/5 with Paddy Power to win the race. Fortunately the injury to Faugheen is not considered career threatening and it’s anticipated that Faugheen should return to action next year and be as strong as ever.

The sad news of Faugheen absence while disappointing for racing purists, certainly opens up the race from a betting point of view. Fans, punters, and bookies have been trying to digest how it impacts the odds of the Champion Hurdle. Faugheen was a heavy odds on favourite, and that had put me off the race, as it seemed a foregone conclusion that Faugheen would romp home as Champion Hurdle winner at another Cheltenham Festival. As the dust has settled over the last few days it seems Annie Power, another Willie Mullins runner, will fill the gap left by Faugheen and contest the race. Annie Power has been marked as the new favourite, currently best priced at 3/1 with Stan James, and worst priced at 7/4 with Coral.

Full Champion Hurdle Odds (Best Priced Odds):

Annie Power: 3/1 with Stan James

Artic Fire: 7/2 with bet365

Nichols Canyon: 11/2 with William Hill                                           

Identity Thief: 13/2 with William Hill

My Tent Or Yours: 8/1 with SkyBet

The New One: 10/1 with Betfred

Peace And Co: 20/1 with Stan James

Top Notch: 25/1 with Stan James

Hargam: 25/1 with BetVictor

Old Guard: 25/1 with William Hill

Camping Ground: 25/1 with Betfred

Sempre Medici: 33/1 with bet365

Sign Of A Victory: 66/1 with bet365

Purple Bay: 100/1 with bet365

In my view the odds for Annie Power are too short to back at this stage and there is much better value available now Faugheen is out the race. Annie Power did return well and win at Punchetown last Wednesday, but prior to that Annie Power had not raced since May last year, and at Cheltenham Festival 2015 fell in the Mares’ Hurdle so would worry me. Due to the late change, time is running out for Annie Power to prepare for the Champion Hurdle and I reckon better value can be found backing The New One at 10/1 with Betfred.  The New One has looked in strong shape in the last 3 race outings at Haydock and (twice at) Kempton, and given the odds looks tremendous value as an Each Way bet. The New One came 5^th last year at Cheltenham in the same race and I would be confident a substantial improvement on that will occur this year. Whether The New One can break the Willie Mullins monopoly and win the race is another question, but at 10/1 as an Each Way bet it seems too good to not have a few pounds on.  

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