This horse is undoubtedly blessed with huge ability, as he's shown frequently in the past. Perhaps you'd like to have seen him really scale the heights we all thought he would as a chaser.
That said - he is a dual graded winner over fences, including a Grade one at the Cheltenham Festival - who could forget that?!
He has had his issues in the past, and I just didn't think he was a complete natural over fences. Nicky Henderson and the team have reverted back to hurdles, and in doing so - I think Champ is somewhere near back to his brilliant best.
He took the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot on his last start, where - in all fairness - you could have expected him to need the run.
However he won by just under 2 lengths, after travelling beautifully throughout - maybe a shade keen in the run - but like I said you can forgive him that.
If he can settle better and travel as well as he did last time, I can see him taking this comfortably, for Jonjo O'Neill Jr - who keeps the ride.
With a run under his belt, he can enhance his Stayers Hurdle claims here, he's currently best price at around 11-4.
Quite clearly the one to beat.