Technically the horse who runs the fastest time doesn't always win. Times are important, but I don't think they're everything particularly in NH racing.
I actually agree with Frankel 2012. Mullins and Walsh have always said that HF isn't at his best at Cheltenham, and I have to agree. He is a small, fast horse and Cheltenham tends to play into the strengths of the bigger, staying types. That's taking nothing away from HF, it probably demonstrates just how good he is because he has already beaten a whole host of great horses at a course which probably doesn't play into his strengths. BUT this year is by far his biggest test providing the novices from last season are as good as people think they are. They all have the potential to improve as the season goes on, whereas HF is more likely to decline due to his age. It is so sad that Darlan never got a chance to run in it because I think he would have floored HF and the rest.
Also, though the Champion is the pinnacle for 2m hurdlers I really think that the fact that some of the horses in it are not suited to the course can make some of the form misleading. Take Binocular for example who is similar to HF and has won around courses like Kempton and Newbury which are flatter and fairer and never really shown his best at Cheltenham. I just think that this could easily be the year that HF gets beaten, maybe not because he isn't as good as he was, but there are better horses in it this year who will be better suited by the course. But that isn't denying how good HF is.
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in times lots horses have ran faster than Frankel check the records
