BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 13:26 | Winning time: 3m 44.6s

Melon³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Ruby Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 164| CD

4/1

For all he has achieved it's surprising the only graded contest he has won was a sub-standard event at Down Royal. His neck second in the Champion Hurdle last March was impressive, but disappointingly behind Supasundae and Tombstone over C&D latest.

Form: 1352F-4

Petit Mouchoir³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 158| CD

12/1

Won this in 2016, went chasing last year having finished third to Buveur D'Air in the 2017 Champion Hurdle. Back over timber on seasonal bow in C&D Ryanair Hurdle last month, finishing last of six, behind three of these rivals.

Form: 12324-6

Supasundae³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 163| CD

4/1

Surprise winner of this a year ago, added Punchestown Grade 1 over the trip having finished second at Cheltenham and Aintree over 3m/2m4f. 20L inferior to Apple's Jade in Hatton's Grace (2m4f) before C&D second in Ryanair Hurdle last month.

Form: 1221-22

Tombstone^t⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 146| D

66/1

Third behind Sharjah over C&D last month in Ryanair Hurdle, that was perhaps a career-best, since occupied same position in Naas Grade 3 behind Espoir D'allen. That was just six days ago, sharp turnaround for this tough assignment.

Form: 513033

Farclas^p1,t³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Sean Flanagan| T: G Elliott| OR: 152

25/1

Triumph Hurdle winner at Cheltenham last term. No match for Apple's Jade (only sixth of nine) on reappearance in the Hatton's Grace and tumbled out early on in last week's Naas Grade 3 over this reduced trip. The youngster has plenty to find.

Form: 2215-6F

Apple's Jade^t³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 162| CD

8/11

Brilliant mare comes here in search of her tenth Grade 1 success. Has romped to three wins this season, two of them Grade 1s, and looked as good as ever in doing so. The only question mark against her is the drop to 2m.

Form: 133-111

Forecasts

Apple's Jade (8/11), Supasundae (4/1), Melon (4/1), Petit Mouchoir (12/1), Farclas (25/1), Tombstone (66/1)

Notwithstanding the question raised by dropping back to the minimum trio, APPLE'S JADE is the one they all have to beat. The mare bids for tenth Grade 1 win of an already fantastic career and, at seven-years-old, all the signs this season suggest she's coming to the peak of her powers. She's been faultless in three runs over longer trips and can increase the clamour to take on the best two-milers next month in Cheltenham. Champion Hurdle runner-up Melon was no more than ordinary here last month on reappearance and has failed to best Supasundae in three previous meetings, including this race last year. Jessica Harrington's versatile sort is the key danger.