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Verdana Blue Worth Cheltenham Consideration

Verdana Blue (right) comes to tackle Buveur D'air at KemptonVerdana Blue (right) comes to tackle Buveur D'air at Kempton
© Photo Healy Racing

Verdana Blue pulled off one of the shocks of the Christmas period with a brilliant run to defeat Buveur D’Air in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park. Nicky Henderson’s charge beat her stable-mate and dual Champion Hurdle winner by a fraction on the line and in the process propelled herself into the Champion Hurdle picture.

The former Irish trained mare won her Bumper at Killarney when under the care of Edmont Kent and the now seven-year-old is in contention for one of the most prestigious races at the Cheltenham Festival, the Champion Hurdle.

Buveur D'Air has won the event for the last two seasons, including his triumph over Melon last year where he claimed the victory by a neck. As a result, Verdana Blue will have to be flawless once again to see off her stable-mate and secure her first victory at the Cheltenham Festival.

Despite her win in the Christmas Hurdle, the seven-year-old has a range of odds on offer for the Champion Hurdle crown. Therefore it’s vital to look around before the event to get the best value from bookmakers. With still almost two months to go before the big day her odds are likely to continue to fluctuate. Using comparison sites is vital to getting the best-priced odds, highlighting the value of shopping around in the world of online gambling.

Whether it’s comparing bookmakers and their special offers or online casinos there are a lot of options available so it’s vital to get the best advice before making your decision. At Casinowings.com the best value casinos are compared and rated for customers to pick and choose their deal. It’s a similar system to looking for the best odds on offer about the likes of Verdana Blue for the Champion Hurdle. Her price currently ranges from between 8/1 and 12/1 for victory at Cheltenham.

Henderson’s charge has been in solid form throughout this campaign, beginning with a victory on the Flat at Chelmsford at the end of September before taking a Listed Hurdle at Kempton in October. A Grade 2 victory followed at Wincanton in November before she finished fourth in the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Verdana Blue ridden by Nina Carberry winning a Killarney BumperVerdana Blue ridden by Nina Carberry winning a Killarney Bumper
© Photo Healy Racing

She was declared for last season's Champion Hurdle but missed the engagement due to unsuitably heavy ground and presuming the ground turns up better this time she is firmly on course for the race.

Verdana Blue will have a somewhat unusual prep for the big hurdle as her next and final outing before Cheltenham is likely to be on the Flat at Kempton on February 16th.