16:25 Punchestown

Saturday 28 April 2018

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

AES Champion Four Year Old Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 16:30 | Winning time: 3m 57.1s

Farclas^t⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 150

5/2

Improving juvenile that took the Triumph Hurdle on latest start, reversing earlier form with Mr Adjudicator. Tongue-tie added there, and stiffer track both seemed to aid his cause, so every chance of further improvement and looks the one to beat.

Form: 221

Mitchouka¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 136| CD

20/1

Has been most consistent this season, easy C&D winner here in November and ran best race to date when second to Saglawy at Fairyhouse last time. Plenty on at these weights but going the right way and may yet do better.

Form: 2311P2

Mr Adjudicator⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 148| D

10/3

Lost unbeaten record for the yard when second to Farclas in the Triumph Hurdle but no disgrace in that, and this track offers hope he can turn the form around. Likely ground ideal and looks the trainer's best hope of success from his five runners.

Form: 112

Msassa¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: D E Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 130| D

33/1

Was found an easy task at Wexford in March to get him off the mark, and he improved on that to finish fifth to Saglawy at Fairyhouse last time, but needs plenty more here if he's to challenge for the top prize.

Form: 4-15

Saglawy¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: W P Mullins| OR: 139| D

8/1

Improving quickly and not even a final flight blunder could stop him winning the Grade 2 at Fairyhouse with a bit in hand last time. Will only improve as he learns to race better and could be capable of shocking better fancied rivals here.

Form: 311

Saldier¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: R M Power| T: W P Mullins| OR: 133| D

10/1

Easy winner at Gowran Park (heavy ground) in February and took a step forward form-wise when third to Saglawy at Fairyhouse last time, looking in need of a bit further. More needed but looks capable of better, especially if they go quick early.

Form: 153

Stormy Ireland⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: D J Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 140| D

15/8

Looked booked for the places when coming down in the last in the Triumph Hurdle last time but that was still a solid effort, and possible more patient tactics may see her improve again. More to come from her and she looks set to run a big race here.

Form: 2-21F

Non-Runners

Veneer Of Charm¹¹

Weight: 11-0| Age: 4

T: G Elliott J: Mark Walsh

Eoline Jolie²

Weight: 10-7| Age: 4

T: W P Mullins J: Rachael Blackmore

Forecasts

Stormy Ireland (15/8), Farclas (5/2), Mr Adjudicator (10/3), Saglawy (8/1), Saldier (10/1), Mitchouka (20/1), Veneer Of Charm (25/1), Msassa (33/1), Eoline Jolie (50/1)

FARCLAS can complete the Cheltenham-Punchestown double. He was impressive when coming away to win the Triumph and was nicely on top at the finish, and is taken to confirm the form with Mr Adjudicator. Saglawy doesn't look the best of the Mullins runners on paper but he was also quietly impressive when winning at Fairyhouse and could be the one to give the selection the most to do.