Jezki may tempt McManus to run My Tent Or Yours in Champion Hurdle

The big question hanging over owner JP McManus is whether to put all of his eggs in one basket and go all out to win the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle or whether to take a slight chance in the hope of securing a memorable double with the Champion Hurdle?

McManus owns the two current clear market leaders for the Cheltenham Festival opener, with My Tent Or Yours, trained by Nicky Henderson, heading the betting at 7/4 and Jezki available at 5/2, who comes from the yard of Jessica Harrington.

The consensus is that he will run both in the Supreme, but it could be a productive move to step My Tent Or Yours up into the Champion Hurdle a year early, especially given Darlan’s fatal fall at Doncaster.

Darlan was McManus’ chief hope of Champion Hurdle success, while trainer Henderson has had even more bad luck ahead of the race with Grandouet suffering a leg injury, although he is still expected to line up.

From having two leading challengers, Henderson is now down to one who is doubtful to be truly 100 per cent fit and so he may be willing to promote My Tent Or Yours into the Champion Hurdle.

The stock of My Tent Or Yours rose significantly when winning the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury, where he hammered a decent field of horses who are capable of holding their own in group company.

What was also significant was that the early pace was remarkably slow, which meant that My Tent Or Yours pulled slightly hard over the first few hurdles. The pace in the Champion Hurdle should suit him more.

It would be an adventurous move to run My Tent Or Yours in the Champion Hurdle, but it is arguable that he would not have to improve that much to be an each-way contender at worst and his price of 7/1 would shorten if he was a confirmed runner.

His rating is already superior to that of Make A Stand in 1997, who completed the Betfair Hurdle and Champion Hurdle double as a novice.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.