Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 15:16 | Winning time: 4m 1.5s

Abacadabras^t³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 158| CD

10/1

Smart hurdler. C&D winner. Tongue strap on first time, disappointed when 23¾ lengths fifth of 7 to Sharjah in Matheson Hurdle over C&D (soft) 39 days ago. Even return to best unlikely to be enough.

Form: 212-215

Petit Mouchoir^p³⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: B J Cooper| T: G Elliott| OR: 157| CD

18/1

Very smart hurdler who was length third to then stablemate Honeysuckle in this last year. Fair third to Sharjah here over Christmas but suspicion he'll have to settle for minor honours at best again.

Form: 235-233

Saint Roi³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 157| BF| D

6/1

Looked a bit unlucky when edged out by Abacadabras in Morgiana at Punchestown but no there were no apparent excuses when beaten favourite behind a couple of these in Matheson here since.

Form: 511-124

Saldier³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 159| D

16/1

Smart hurdler. First outing for over a year when 31¾ lengths sixth of 7 to Sharjah in Matheson over C&D 39 days ago. May strip fitter but big turnaround needed.

Form: 531F/1-6

Sharjah^t³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 164| CD

10/3

High-class hurdler who was as good ever when winning a third successive Matheson over C&D in December. Disappointed in this last year but he's the chief threat to Honeysuckle if on a going day.

Form: B/4162-1

Honeysuckle⁶⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 159| CD

10/11

Won this last year. Produced one of best performances by a mare in recent times when accounting for Benie des Dieux at Cheltenham next time and extended unbeaten record to 9 on Fairyhouse return.

Form: 1/1111-1

Forecasts

Honeysuckle (10/11), Sharjah (10/3), Saint Roi (6/1), Abacadabras (10/1), Saldier (16/1), Petit Mouchoir (18/1)

The winning machine that is HONEYSUCKLE landed back-to-back successes in the Hatton's Grace on her reappearance and can now double up in this race and take her record to a perfect 10-10. Sharjah failed to fire in this last year but he arrives on the back of a third successive win in the Matheson and is capable of giving Henry de Bromhead's mare a fight if anywhere near his best.