15:50 Punchestown

Saturday 28 April 2018

All14:3515:1015:5016:2517:0017:3518:1018:40

Irish Stallion Farms EBF Annie Power Mares Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 15:50 | Winning time: 4m 54.70s

Apple's Jade^t⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 158| BF| CD

5/6

Top class mare, slightly below her best when beaten by Benie Des Dieux in the Mares Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival but possible to use the heavy ground there as an excuse. Chances of using her speed on a less testing surface here to gain revenge.

Form: 11-1113

Augusta Kate²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: D J Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 144| C| D

16/1

Good effort when second to the top-class Presenting Percy in the Grade 2 Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park in January and far from disgraced in the Stayers Hurdle, but looked in need of a break when well beaten latest. Needs to bounce back now.

Form: 5-64295

Barra^t²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Mark Walsh| T: G Elliott| OR: 140

33/1

Has improved to finish in the frame in a couple of big field handicaps this year, latterly the competitive Grade 3 Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival but another that needs to put a poor effort last time behind her. Needs to find more here.

Form: 234236

Benie Des Dieux⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 149| D

3/1

Unbeaten in four starts for the yard and despite her inexperience took the Mares Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival last time out. Likely this will be the quickest ground she's encountered to date, but improving and will be a tough not to crack.

Form: 33/1-111

Forge Meadow²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 147| C

14/1

Her defeat of Identity Thief in the Red Mills in February reads well given the latter's exploits since, but ran poorly at Fairyhouse last time and her form at 2m looks better than when trying further. Bit to find but place chances nonetheless.

Form: 51221P

Jer's Girl⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: B J Geraghty| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 145| CD

12/1

Has run well at a good level this season without getting her head in front, has ground to make up on Benie Des Dieux on Cheltenham running last time out but was staying on well there and the quicker they go here, better her chance.

Form: 5F-4225

Let's Dance^p²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: W P Mullins| OR: 143| C| D

9/1

Beat a few of these home when third to Coquin Mans at Fairyhouse last time and looked decent when taking the Grade 3 mares hurdle at Leopardstown before Christmas. Trip and ground fine and may pick up place money again.

Form: 4-F15F3

Midnight Tour⁴⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: D N Russell| T: A King| OR: 148| D

12/1

Took her form to a new level when only beaten ½l by Benie Des Diuex in the Mares Hurdle at Cheltenham but that's not the first time she's run well there only to run below par elsewhere. Obvious chance but not a given she will reproduce that run.

Form: 1-33432

Non-Runners

Asthuria²

Weight: 11-7| Age: 7

T: W P Mullins J: B J Cooper

Lagostovegas⁴

Weight: 11-7| Age: 6

T: W P Mullins J: Rachael Blackmore

Pravalaguna³

Weight: 11-7| Age: 6

T: W P Mullins J: Danny Mullins

Redhotfillypeppers²

Weight: 11-7| Age: 6

T: W P Mullins J: Brian Hayes

Forecasts

Apple's Jade (5/6), Benie Des Dieux (3/1), Let's Dance (9/1), Midnight Tour (12/1), Jer's Girl (12/1), Forge Meadow (14/1), Augusta Kate (16/1), Lagostovegas (16/1), Asthuria (25/1), Barra (33/1), Pravalaguna (33/1), Redhotfillypeppers (66/1)

A rematch between the first three home in the Mares Hurdle from the Cheltenham Festival, Benie Des Dieux, Midnight Tour and APPLE'S JADE, and it may be that the latter, who was below her best that day, can reverse the form with the other pair at a track that she seems to reserve her very best for. It should be close again though, and the improving Benie Des Dieux is not to be underestimated. Midnight Tour ran a cracker to split the two but may be best at Cheltenham. . Pravalaguna looks best of those at big odds.