Unibet Morgiana Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 14:15 | Winning time: 3m 47.70s

Faugheen²⁰⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Ruby Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 169| CD

2/5

Won this last year, making it seven straight renewals for his trainer. Mixed bag afterwards before ending season with fine win in Champion Stayers' Hurdle at the Festival here in April over 3m. Big player despite drop to 2m.

Form: 1/1P261-

Sharjah¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 155| D

7/2

Galway Hurdle winner but likely just shy of top-class over 2m, no match for sub-standard Samcro at Down Royal when 5L behind that rival and 8lb worse off here.

Form: 846-313

Tombstone^t³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: G Elliott| OR: 143| D

20/1

Winner over fences last month at Limerick, but well beaten in Grade 3 hurdles contest at Tipperary previously. Major surprise should be lead this field home.

Form: 3626-51

Wicklow Brave²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 157| BF| CD

8/1

Useful if not entirely reliable, runner-up behind Supasundae over C&D in April after Samcro departed. Busy summer on the Flat (three wins) but faller last month at Galway when odds-on over 3m. Needs some of these to falter.

Form: 72-213F

Non-Runners

Samcro¹⁶

Weight: 11-10| Age: 6

T: G Elliott J: D N Russell

Supasundae²⁰⁵

Weight: 11-10| Age: 8

T: Mrs J Harrington J: R M Power

Forecasts

Faugheen (2/5), Samcro (4/6), Sharjah (7/2), Wicklow Brave (8/1), Supasundae (8/1), Tombstone (20/1)

Last year's winner FAUGHEEN gets the nod to hand Willie Mullins a ninth straight success in this. He looked to be heading into the sunset after a number of perplexing runs last winter but roared back to form here in the spring. That he drops to 2m suggests he has been in good form at Closutton. Samcro's connections have pinpointed the Champion Hurdle as his big target, but his Down Royal reverse suggests he's got plenty to prove and the ground may not be in his favour. The admirable Supasundae is respected but has needed his reappearance in each of the last three seasons. Wicklow Brave might be best-placed to nick his share of prize money.