17:25 Punchestown

Friday 30 April 2021

All15:4016:1516:5017:2518:0018:3519:0519:35

Paddy Power Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 17:25 | Winning time: 3m 53.10s

Abacadabras^t²²

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Jack Kennedy| T: Mrs D Foster| OR: 158| CD

14/1

Very smart hurdler who was back on song when second to Honeysuckle in Irish Champion in February. Career best when winning Aintree Hurdle (20f, good to soft) 22 days ago. Should be on the premises.

Form: 2152F1

Aspire Tower⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: R M Power| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 160| CD

33/1

Very smart hurdler. C&D winner. 33/1, good 11 lengths fourth of 10 to Honeysuckle in Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham (16.4f, good to soft) 45 days ago, having his chance and needing no excuses.

Form: 1F2-124

Darver Star^t⁴³

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: J M Moore| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 158| C

100/1

Smart hurdler (third in last year's Champion Hurdle). Not as good over fences and back over hurdles now, but bit to find even on best form.

Form: 3-13277

Goshen⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 160| D

8/1

Had the 2020 Triumph at mercy before an unseat at the last. Back on track in Kingwell but major disappointment in Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham. Return to right-handed track will suit at least.

Form: 11U-018

Jason The Militant^t²²

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 158| BF| D

33/1

Proved better than ever when winning 2m Fairyhouse Grade 3 in February. 3/1, unseated rider in Aintree Hurdle 22 days ago, too far out to suggest outcome. Bit to find.

Form: 51-331U

Sharjah^t⁴⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 164| CD

9/1

Won a third successive Matheson at Leopardstown in December. Best of the rest when second to Honeysuckle in Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham (16.4f, good to soft) 45 days ago. Place claims again.

Form: 162-132

Epatante⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Aidan Coleman| T: N J Henderson| OR: 158| D

9/2

Three-time Grade 1 winner, including 2020 Champion Hurdle. Respectable 9½ lengths third to Honeysuckle in this year's renewal at Cheltenham (16.4f, good to soft) 45 days ago. Can make presence felt.

Form: 111-123

Honeysuckle⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 165| D

4/7

Top-class mare. Unbeaten in 11 starts, recording 7th Grade 1 of career in Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham (16.4f, good to soft, 11/10) 45 days ago by 6½ lengths from Sharjah, impressively. Hard to beat.

Form: 111-111

Forecasts

Honeysuckle (4/7), Epatante (9/2), Goshen (8/1), Sharjah (9/1), Abacadabras (14/1), Jason The Militant (33/1), Aspire Tower (33/1), Darver Star (100/1)

HONEYSUCKLE maintained her unbeaten record in impressive fashion when beating most of these in the Champion Hurdle and she'll prove very hard to beat again. Abacadabras didn't get a chance to show what he could do when falling at Cheltenham, but he made amends in the Aintree Hurdle and could emerge as the biggest threat, while Goshen may be worth another chance back at a right-handed track.