With five horses priced under 10-1, the 2008 Champion Hurdle promises to be one of the most fiercely contested races at the Cheltenham Festival. Sizing Europe might be the favourite after two recent good performances, but each of the top three priced horses are in with a real chance of winning the race. Champion Hurdle Betting rounds off its profiles of the favourites for the 2008 Champion Hurdle with a look at Harchibald, priced 6-1 by William Hill.

Harchibald Record and Statistics
Noel Meade’s Harchibald is one of the most experienced hurdlers running at the 2008 Champion Hurdle. The French born horse started his career in flat racing in France, racking up an impressive record that saw him show in eight of his starts, winning three races.

Harchibald’s national hunt career stretches back to 2002. He endured a slow start to his career taking only two wins in his first two years of racing. Thereafter Harchibald’s form improved steadily and his career figures now read a respectable 9 wins from 27 starts, with another 6 second place finishes.

One of the factors contributing to Harchibald’s strong showing in the 2008 Champion Hurdle odds tables is his experience over the race distance. Harchibald is something of a specialist over 2 miles, with each of his 9 wins coming over distances between 2 miles and 2 miles 1 furlong.