Herald Champion Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 16:20 | Winning time: 3m 58.9s

Bunk Off Early⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 143

9/1

Seemingly had his limitations over 2m exposed at Cheltenham last month when folding tamely in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. Every chance he's better than that bare form but with three rivals re-opposing from that contest, he is facing a stiff task to score here. Townend partners him again though, which is a positive.

Form: /-120

Cilaos Emery^h⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: D J Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 142

8/1

Won a bumper here a year ago, appeared to be going places over timber until odds-on defeat over C&D in February and since well and truly beaten off by a couple of today's rivals in the Supreme at Cheltenham. Surprise should he lay claim to more than place-money now.

Form: 1125

Labaik⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 154

5/2

He left his recent mishaps at the starting tape well behind at Cheltenham before producing a devastating turn of foot to surge clear of Melon up the hill. Assuming he consents to run, he has a very good chance of upholding the form.

Form: 1RR617

Melon⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Ruby Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 152

5/4

Had favourite backers momentarily purring in last month's Supreme at Cheltenham when moving forward to challenge under Walsh. Had no answer once Labaik jumped to the front clearing the last however but will have learned greatly from just his second racecourse outing and should go close here.

Form: -12

Peter The Mayo Man⁵⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: N D Fehily| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 138

28/1

Racked up a nice hat-trick earlier in the season before getting turned over in a Supreme Novices' trial at Musselburgh. Subsequently found a Kempton Grade Two beyond him and now facing into the toughest hurdles race of his career on paper. Hard to see him figure in the finish.

Form: 4-11123

Pingshou¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: D N Russell| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 150

9/1

Unable to land a blow behind a few of these at Cheltenham last month but has since landed a Grade One novice at Aintree in good style and must be judged on that coming here. Has something to find with front two in the market but heads the dangers should anything be amiss there.

Form: 8/41401

Forge Meadow⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 138

9/1

Even with her allowance, the mare looks to be facing a tough task in this company. Her Naas win in February saw Labaik scuppering his chances at the start and, on an even keel, she'll do very well to uphold the form.

Form: 215218

Forecasts

Melon (5/4), Labaik (5/2), Cilaos Emery (8/1), Pingshou (9/1), Forge Meadow (9/1), Bunk Off Early (9/1), Peter The Mayo Man (28/1)

A fascinating event that pits the first two from last month's Supreme Novices' Hurdle into battle again. MELON was a warm order for that contest despite having run only once previously. He cannot be faulted too much for his effort and should have learned plenty from that skirmish amidst the heat of Grade One battle. With the potential for an improved performance here, he is given the vote to turn tables on Labaik. The Elliott runner was under the radar at Cheltenham due to his tendency to act up at the start. His talent is clear for all to see but his temperament cannot be assumed to have transformed on just one run, so he still comes with risks and might find that Melon has more to offer now regardless. Pingshou landed a Grade One at Aintree and is respected on the back of it while the other Mullins contenders Bunk Off Early and Cilaos Emery should not be discounted from leaving their Cheltenham efforts behind and running big races.