2009 World Hurdle Preview

The World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival looks set to be won for the third time by the French trainer Francois Doumen who will be saddling hot favourite Kasbah Bliss. Doumen won the race twice previously with the brilliant Baracouda in 2002 and 2003, who was also second in the race twice. Kasbah Bliss was second himself last year just failing to overcome the formidable Inglis Drever in the final run in. But Doumen has entered his charge again knowing that he probably has the best horse in the race this year; particularly if the form he showed in the recent Blue Square Hurdle at Haydock Park is anything to go by.

He won that race in blistering fashion by eight lengths from Hills Of Arran with previous World Hurdle fancy, Duc De Regniere back in third. Trained by Nicky Henderson, high hopes were held on Duc De Regniere to take on the French raider, but he was simply blown away by the lightening quick finish of Kasbah Bliss who has obviously improved considerably from twelve months ago.

Henderson however does have another outstanding staying hurdler in the race in Punchestowns. He has looked in great form all season and has never been out of the first two in the betting for this great race. He looks on paper as the only horse capable of preventing a French victory but he will have to be at his very best to do so.

Paul Nicholls has Big Bucks in the race who had been racing over fences this season. He returned to hurdles in great style however in the Cleeve Hurdle in January powering home under jockey Ruby Walsh, to defeat none other than Punchestowns and earn his place as third favourite in the betting. In fairness to Punchestowns, he was giving Big Bucks 8lbs and it would have been much closer at level weights. That said, Nicholls believes that Big Bucks, who is only six, will come on strongly for that race and is a genuine contender for the honours at Cheltenham.

Others worthy of note who still hold an entry are the perennial Festival runner, Blazing Bailey, who is still probably capable of getting a place if he runs at his best. The David Pipe trained Lough Derg, who has been so tough this season could have one more big run in him, but his odds of 33-1 probably speak with more clarity as to his realistic chances of getting the better of any of the top three in the betting.

It looks like a win for the French in this race so much so that Kasbah Bliss could well be regarded as one of the bankers of the meeting. by James Smith