A fiercely competitive renewal of the Scottish Champion Hurdle, where proven Festival form meets emerging talent from top yards. The 2-mile test on Good to Soft will place an emphasis on race position, as hold-up horses are generally disadvantaged unless the pace collapses. With no guaranteed strong gallop forecast, tactical speed and track craft will be crucial.

🥇 Strongest Contender: KABRAL DU MATHAN

Paul Nicholls has landed this race before (2023 with Rubaud), and Kabral du Mathan comes in as a rapidly progressive hurdler with the highest adjusted Timeform rating (155).

Timeform says: “Staying on from rear… will stay 2½m… solid big-field form… likely more to come.”

He’s built for a race like this — stays well, acts on soft, and finds more at the finish. A Kempton win in November off a steady gallop showed his tactical gears, and he backed that up with two strong seconds in deeper company. At 11-7 off a mark of 139, he looks extremely well treated on current ratings. Harry Cobden rides — big positive.

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⚠️ Main Dangers

🟣 ETHICAL DIAMOND (W. P. Mullins)

Ran a blinder when fourth in the County Hurdle, clocking an excellent figure having been held up with little chance of winning from that position.

Timeform notes: “Clearly has good form claims already and likely to progress further.”

He won a maiden by 10 lengths at Punchestown before Cheltenham and is unexposed. Concerns over race position here are real — he’s a hold-up horse in a race where that style is historically disadvantaged. If the pace lifts late, he’ll be flying.

🔵 KIHAVAH (Adrian Keatley)

Not to be overlooked. He’s tactically versatile and has Group 1 form from the Fighting Fifth, where he finished third to Sir Gino. Excellent third-place finish despite being up with the pace in a slowly run race. Handles any ground, stays further, and Timeform calls him “most likeable.”

Has been placed in 6 of 7 over hurdles; big player if the race sets up evenly.

🔴 CRACKING RHAPSODY (Ewan Whillans)

Course winner and well suited to a mid-strongly run 2m. Won the Morebattle Hurdle, then ran a creditable 7th in the County. Timeform still rates him above his current mark (137) with a best adjusted of 151.

Smart Stat: +£10.83 LSP when Ewan Whillans runs just one horse on the card – that’s the case today.

Each-way material at double-digit odds — gutsy, improving, and race-fit.

🟢 VALGRAND (Dan Skelton)

Dan Skelton has placed horses in this before and Valgrand was a festival flop but bounced back before that. Won the Sharp Novices’ at Cheltenham (by 17L) in October, and although he’s been patchy since, he still holds a Timeform figure of 152.

If he’s got his mojo back, he’s one of the better treated horses at 11-0.

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📌 Other Notes & Pertinent Timeform Comments

• BUNTING – “Too free when pulled up in Coral Cup.” Will be dangerous if he settles, but that’s a big if. Back in trip helps.
• UNDER CONTROL – “Unfurnished… lightly raced since… useful hurdler.” Could run well fresh but pulled up last time and has questions to answer.
• WELSH CHARGER – Likes to bowl along; if left alone, could sneak into the places, but this looks a classier field than he’s faced before.

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🧠 Trainer Watch – Past Winners

• Paul Nicholls won this with Rubaud (2023) and is firing on all cylinders right now → Kabral du Mathan a major chance.
• W. P. Mullins has yet to win this but sends four runners — a strong tilt for the title.
• Alan King (won in 2024 with Favour and Fortune) is absent.
• Nicky Henderson (won 2019 with Verdana Blue) runs Under Control, who has an in-and-out profile.

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🏁 Summary

Most Likely Winner:
👉 Kabral du Mathan – Solid profile, finishing speed, well treated, proven in big fields.

Main Dangers:

• Ethical Diamond – County eyecatcher, huge talent, but needs luck in running.
• Kihavah – Will be in the right place tactically, very consistent.
• Cracking Rhapsody – Course form, on the up, and good value.
• Valgrand – Class angle if back to best.