Former Liverpool and Manchester United footballer Michael Owen has delivered his prediction for the 4pm Champion Hurdle and believes that Golden Ace, who is running at 11/1, EACH WAY is the value bet right now.

Owen told Hollywood: “The Champion Hurdle is the highlight of the first day at Cheltenham Festival. THE NEW LION is one of the favourites, obviously a very good horse, he’s undefeated in a few runs now… apart from when he fell in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle. He’s a solid selection, I feel.

“LOSSIEMOUTH and BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD – two mares in the race. I’d be against them. BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD has had a couple of chances at Cheltenham and not won, and I’ve heard some negative rumours about LOSSIEMOUTH. 

“GOLDEN ACE is fourth in. She won the race last year, granted Constitution Hill fell, as did State Man.

“But I think GOLDEN ACE is a big price considering she was going just as well as THE NEW LION in the Fighting Fifth up at Newcastle, when THE NEW LION fell earlier in the season. So I’m not quite sure why GOLDEN ACE is such a big price?

“I mentioned Constitution Hill, obviously he’s the superstar hurdler of the last few years, but he’s no longer running over hurdles, he’s going to have a flat campaign having fallen over three of his last four starts. I think that’s a wise decision; nobody wants to see a horse lose its confidence and continue to fall, especially on the biggest stage.

“So, in summary: THE NEW LION is certainly the horse to beat, but if I’m going to have a bet on the race, I think GOLDEN ACE each-way is the value bet.”