The Cheltenham Festival is less than a month away and there have been some movements in the betting lines for the Champion Hurdle after the success of Nicky Henderson this month. Henderson’s horses Binocular won the Contenders Hurdle and Oscar Whisky won the Welsh Champion Hurdle.

It wasn’t a very impressive win for Binocular at Sandown but he leads the antepost odds for the Champion Hurdle. But, he was pretty lethargic in the Contenders Hurdle last year before going on to win the Champion Hurdle in March so we could see the same performance this year. The 7-year-old horse will have a real challenge this year in a race he won by only one length last year.

Oscar Whisky on the other hand won by eight lengths in the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las. The 6-year-old horse will race next at Cheltenham as Henderson attempts to train an amazing three different Champion Hurdle winners in three straight years. However, Cheltenham is the site of Oscar Whisky’s only defeat in his career after losing to Menorah in the Supreme Novices last year.

Menorah has good value for the Champion Hurdle after Binocular’s less than spectacular win. Barizan came in fifth at the Welsh Champion Hurdle, well behind Oscar Whisky which makes the five year old a longshot at the Champion Hurdle. Hurricane Fly is second in the betting in what should be an exciting race.

Champion Hurdle Outright Odds (provided by William Hill)

Binocular: 3/1

Hurricane Fly: 9/2

Menorah: 5/1

Peddlers Cross: 11/2

Oscar Whisky: 12/1

Mille Chief: 14/1

Cue Card: 20/1

Dunguib: 20/1

Khyber Kim: 25/1

Silviniaco Conti: 25/1

Walkon: 25/1

Overturn: 33/1

Get Me Out Of Here: 40/1

Soldatino: 40/1

Clerk’s Choice: 50/1

Starluck: 50/1

Thousand Stars: 50/1

Zaynar: 50/1

Alaivan: 66/1

Blackstairmountain: 66/1

Ronaldo Des Mottes: 66/1

Salden Licht: 66/1

Solix: 66/1

Cristal Bonus: 100/1

Notus De La Tour: 100/1

Sublimity: 100/1

Bygones of Brid: 150/1