Soccer

Adagio back in Cheltenham Champion Hurdle reckoning for Pipe

David Pipe's talented Adagio has had a stop-start season but all eyes are definitely on the 2022 Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. Tasty odds are available for Adagio to hit the high-notes.

David Pipe has all eyes on the 2022 Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham for Adagio after revealing the five-year-old has resumed training following a setback.

Adagio means slowly in classical music but Pipe's speedster has been rather quicker, winning the Grade One Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow last season.

Pipe's German bred went on to post second in the Triumph Hurdle and the 4-Y-O Anniversary Juvenile Hurdle at Aintree in the spring.

The son of Wiener Walzer was only beaten three-quarters of a length by West Cork in the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham in November on his winter reappearance. He then missed an engagement in the International Hurdle after suffering a small setback.

Adagio is currently priced up at a juicy 20/1 for the Champion Hurdle 2022 which could be generous if his comeback continues apace.

Pipe said: "He has only just started cantering so plans are on hold at the present moment. He just pulled a muscle.
"We are still aiming for the Champion Hurdle, but we would like to get a run in beforehand.
"It isn't easy trying to find a race for him, as he is only eligible for the Kingwell Hurdle (at Wincanton on February 19) or the Betfair Hurdle (at Newbury on February 7) or races like that, so he has not got too many options."

Pipe is also considering his options with Sidi Ismael, who continued a hot streak over fences in the Lincolnshire National at Market Rasen over Christmas.

The eight-year-old pleased his owners The Show Is Over Syndicate with a stable debut win at Lingfield in November. 

Sidi Ismael moved on to win at Wetherby before proving his stamina over an extended three miles and three furlongs at Market Rasen on soft going.

Pipe said: "We will possibly look at the Midlands National, or go to Catterick for a three-mile-six-furlong handicap chase. He is still a novice as well.
"He is certainly going the right way and is owned by an enthusiastic bunch of guys who are based in Ireland, Liverpool and all over the place. He is progressing and seems to stay very well."

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