JUST once a year the principal race on the card at Les Landes is the first race, the Channel Islands Champion Hurdle – and tomorrow is that special day.

The sponsor, Weatherbys Bank, a famous name in the history of racing, has been rewarded with an exciting line up.

On all known form, Rosa Sainte is the proverbial good thing.

She hasn’t stopped improving since the start of the season and last time gave Hakam 35 lb and a comprehensive beating; the latter can have no chance conceding 5 lb.

See More Snow missed the whole of last season, but was champion in 2004 when he beat Off Minor.

He won first time up, on the flat, and was going all right, but not well enough to have beaten Rosa Sainte, when tipping up last time.

Previously he was beaten by Rosa Sainte getting 8 lb so has it all to do now.

If one accepts the 2004 champion hurdle form at face value, Off Minor, the Jersey Derby winner, is also held by Rosa Sainte.

Koka Fast has run two decent races behind her stablemate, but doesn’t look to be in the same class.

The Weatherbys Champion Hurdle should be a coronation for the new queen of Les Landes, Rosa Sainte.

The Pentagon Handicap Sprint follows the main race and as ever with these speed merchants it could fall to the one that gets the fastest break.

Highland Flight, like Rosa Sainte a grey mare, is usually quickly away, but she wasn’t particularly smart last time, although it was her first run of the season; expect a better run this time.

Sky Of Hope is positively thrown in on his best form, but age may be catching up with him, and Perfect Portrait is arguably better over seven furlongs.

Compton Spark and I’m Aimee flopped last time, but the former was impressive the time before and if he could reproduce that run would be a danger to all, even from 6 lb out of the handicap.

The Investec Handicap over seven furlongs looks very competitive.

Missus Links hasn’t recaptured last year’s smart form, but would be good enough off this mark if she did.

Ask The Clerk had ‘future winner’ written all over him on his debut, but was a shade disappointing next time, while Time To Wyn is worth watching in the betting market having had a couple of runs and being near a winning mark.

Master Rattle has his quirks and Tony Tie is consistent, but reaching the vintage stage.

Persian Khanoom went into a few notebooks the time before last and is expected to run well.

In a trappy affair Ask The Clerk has the best public form.

The Mile and a Half Handicap is hardly imaginatively named, but at least you wont mistake the distance! Minnie’s Mystery completely floored me last time by winning at nine furlongs, a trip short of her previous best; it would not be wise to underestimate her over three furlongs more.

However, now that Khuzdar has hit form and in receipt of 10 lb this particular grey mare will have her work cut out.

Last Eclipse has not run a bad race this term, but she seems best giving weight to lesser rivals and may not have the speed of some of these.

Crossways will have his day and Groomsman has come up short when expected to do better.

Martin’s Sunset wins when not expected and is out of the handicap, as is Royal Starlet who is surely better than her mark would suggest.

Another with a lot to find according to the handicapper is Sea Lark.

Nothing looked better before his last start, but he stopped very quickly and then missed his next scheduled outing; presumably he had a problem and, if back on song, he could be the dark one in this open looking affair.

The getting out stakes is also snappily titled; it’s the Mile and One Furlong Handicap.

Cronkyvoddy, wearer of the red bridle made famous by Palala River, has improved with every race and faces perhaps his easiest task to date.

Countrywide Pride and Ross Studholme struck up a good partnership and last time made every post a winning one.

However, Ross switches to Cronkyvoddy now and we should take the tip.

This is no match though and Last Chapter, Top Pursuit, Snow Lark and Returnofthefairy are all in with a shout, particularly the last named who doesn’t know how to run a poor race.

Amy Baker has ridden three winners from just ten rides and is showing a 23 points level stakes profit: at the time of writing she has three booked rides, Persian Khanoom, Royal Starlet and Returnofthefairy.

Ask Honest Nev for a price about her riding a treble.

Cards printed in today’s JEP.