17:30 Punchestown

Thursday 26 April 2018

All15:4016:1516:5017:3018:0518:4019:1519:45

Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 17:31 | Winning time: 6m 4.1s

Bacardys⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 157| C| D

4/1

Could do with a clear round after a couple of falls, but no doubting his ability and may have been in the frame in the Stayers Hurdle at Cheltenham but for the fall at the last. Winner at this Festival last year and looks one of the main players.

Form: 1P1-3FF

Bleu Et Rouge^t²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 150| BF

33/1

Second in the Grade 3 Betfair Hurdle at Newbury the highlight this season but disappointing last time (had an excuse, choked in running) and this trip represents a total unknown. Might not be too far away if he stays, but that's a big if.

Form: 4-04204

Diamond Cauchois^t²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 150| BF

14/1

Steadily progressive and nothing wrong with his second at Fairyhouse over a trip arguably too short for him these days. Won't mind any further rain, and wouldn't need much more to get among the places here. Looks an interesting one.

Form: 1-31312

Faugheen⁴⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: D J Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 163| C| D

11/2

Former Champion hurdler, better known for his exploits over shorter but has won over this trip. However, well beaten in this year's Champion Hurdle and despite a good win in the Morgiana this year, hasn't repeated that since. Needs to bounce back.

Form: 11/1P26

Identity Thief¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean Flanagan| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 165| C

6/1

Question mark over whether he would stay 3m was well and truly answered at Aintree last time, travelled well and ran out a ready winner. May well have more to offer now and as long as he's over that effort, looks a threat to all here.

Form: 60-6241

Jezki^b²⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: B J Geraghty| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 153| CD

20/1

Couple of wins this season suggest he still has something to offer at the age of 10, and worth remembering he won this back in 2015 but a moderate effort last time out needs forgiving and he needs to refind his best form to get involved.

Form: 12541P

Lieutenant Colonel^b,t¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 140| C| D

66/1

Hasn't set the world alight this year and recent Tramore chase effort was far from what's required here. Finished a respectable seventh in this last year but difficult to see why he should do any better this time around. Others readily preferred.

Form: P221P4

Penhill⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 165| D

2/1

Top class stayer, came back from an absence to land the Stayers Hurdle at Cheltenham last time out, well on top at the finish. Slight concern he was beaten here last year after winning at Cheltenham but that aside, the one to beat on form.

Form: 14112-1

Shaneshill¹³⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 155| C| D

33/1

Reverts to hurdles after a few below-par efforts over fences (excuses for a couple of the runs), third in French Champion Hurdle last year a decent effort and coming here fresh may help. Has the ability to spring a shock and not totally discounted.

Form: 13224P

Yorkhill⁴⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: R M Power| T: W P Mullins| OR: 154| C| D

14/1

Looked to have a bright future ahead of him when taking the 2017 JLT but it's all rather unravelled since then and he seems to have completely lost his way. Now trying 3m and hurdles but all sorts to prove at present. Makes minimal appeal.

Form: 112-86P

Bapaume²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: N D Fehily| T: W P Mullins| OR: 151| C

25/1

Won the 4-y-o Hurdle at this festival last year but it's been hard work since then and he's not really progressing. His third to Apple's Jade at this trip at Leopardstown over Christmas gives some hope but minor places the best he can hope for.

Form: 1-2383P

La Bague Au Roi⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Harry Bannister| T: W Greatrex| OR: 152| D

14/1

Progressive until blotting her copybook in the Mares race at the Cheltenham Festival where she looked very tired at the finish. Held a chance two out there and return to 3m will help, as will any rain, so could bounce back. Each-way chances.

Form: 61-1117

Forecasts

Penhill (2/1), Bacardys (4/1), Faugheen (11/2), Identity Thief (6/1), Diamond Cauchois (14/1), La Bague Au Roi (14/1), Yorkhill (14/1), Jezki (20/1), Bapaume (25/1), Shaneshill (33/1), Bleu Et Rouge (33/1), Lieutenant Colonel (66/1)

Penhill looks the one to beat after his win in the Stayers Hurdle and the way he finished the race off suggested he had more in the tank if it was required. But he was a little below form her eafter winning at Cheltenham last year, and if that's the case again today, it might leave the door open for one or two others. IDENTITY THIEF really looked to have turned a corner at Aintree, the step up in trip showing him in a new light, and that form is as good - arguably, better - than Penhill's Cheltenham win. If he's over those exertions, he could follow up here. La Bague Au Roi holds place chances for a yard that won this two years ago.