15:10 Leopardstown

Saturday 1 February 2020

All12:5013:2514:0014:3515:1015:4516:20

PCI Irish Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 15:10 | Winning time: 3m 49.30s

Aramon³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 148| CD

20/1

C&D Grade 1 winner as a novice but hit and miss since and very disappointing on his return to action here over Christmas; others preferred.

Form: 1262-64

Darver Star^t⁶²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: J M Moore| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 146

20/1

Denied a five-timer last time when stepped up to Grade 1 company last time out but ran well in defeat to finish third behind the high class Envoi Allen; will need more again here but he looks progressive and he's not without an each-way squeak.

Form: 6-11113

Monsieur Lecoq⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Lizzie Kelly| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 151| D

25/1

Loves testing ground and gives the impression we haven't seen the best of him yet but drying ground is against him here and others make more appeal.

Form: 20-1342

Petit Mouchoir^p³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: D N Russell| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 155| CD

9/1

Dual Grade 1 winning hurdler a few seasons ago (including this race) but losing run is mounting up. Has been in good form in recent starts but this is warm renewal and others make more appeal.

Form: 04-4422

Saglawy³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 147| BF| D

33/1

Grade 2 winner over hurdles but disappointed when favourite at Punchestown in December (too keen); has work to do to make his presence felt at this level and down the order on jockey bookings.

Form: 3/9533-2

Sharjah^t³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 162| CD

2/1

Impressive winner of the Matheson Hurdle last time out when beating Petit Mouchoir, a third success in Grade 1 company; obvious player if the ground continues to dry out.

Form: 311B-41

Supasundae^t²⁷⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 159| CD

12/1

Won this back in 2018, one of three wins at the top level and ran well when runner-up to Buveur D'air at Punchestown when last seen; absence to overcome and not getting any younger but should still be thereabouts.

Form: 22271-2

Ballycaines⁵⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Sean Flanagan| T: B A Murphy| OR: 109

100/1

A maiden after 10 starts (seven on the Flat) and wouldn't appear to have any business being in this line up with an official hurdle rating of 109.

Form: 5-25

Honeysuckle⁶²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 158| D

8/11

Unbeaten in six starts over hurdles and took her form to a new level when bolting up in a Fairyhouse Grade 1 last time out; drop back in trip at this level is a slight concern but she's a very exciting prospect who is still unexposed.

Form: 1111-11

Non-Runners

Klassical Dream³⁴

Weight: 11-10| Age: 6

T: W P Mullins J: Paul Townend

Forecasts

Honeysuckle (8/11), Sharjah (2/1), Klassical Dream (7/2), Petit Mouchoir (9/1), Supasundae (12/1), Darver Star (20/1), Aramon (20/1), Monsieur Lecoq (25/1), Saglawy (33/1), Ballycaines (100/1)

HONEYSUCKLE has plenty in her favour and the mare is taken to record back-to-back Grade 1 wins after an impressive success at Fairyhouse when last seen. The more the ground dries out, the better chance Sharjah will have and he came on markedly for his reappearance when winning over course and distance last time out. Supersundae is a threat if retaining all of his ability.