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CHAMPION BID

Cheltenham Festival 2017 – Moon Racer set for a crack at the Champion Hurdle

MOON RACER will run in the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday, trainer David Pipe has announced.

The eight-year-old was also a leading fancy for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle on the same afternoon, but connections have decided to go for the big one.

Joint-owner Bryan Drew told ITV Racing: "We're going to have a go at the Champion Hurdle.

"It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. For me, it was a very easy decision to make."

 Moon Racer (right) will run in the Champion Hurdle
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Moon Racer (right) will run in the Champion HurdleCredit: Sportsfile

Moon Racer, the 2015 Champion Bumper hero, is unbeaten in two starts this season, but has not been sighted since he readily claimed Grade 2 glory in a trial for the Supreme at Cheltenham in November.

Pipe added: "He's eight years old but, as everyone knows, he's only run six times in his life.

"It's a brave decision but it's one that's well worth taking.

"It's a wide-open race."

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