15:20 Punchestown

Saturday 1 May 2021

All14:1514:5015:2016:0016:3017:0517:4018:10

Coolmore Kew Gardens Irish EBF Mares Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 15:22 | Winning time: 4m 50.4s

Burning Victory⁴¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins| OR: 144

14/1

Won 13-runner 2020 Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham by 2¾ lengths from Aspire Tower, left in front. Off since but in top hands.

Form: 11-

Concertista^t1⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 153| BF| D

8/11

Smart hurdler. Head second of 10 to Black Tears in David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle (10/11) at Cheltenham (19.9f, good to soft) 46 days ago. Tongue strap on and she sets the standard.

Form: 331-112

Laurina¹⁶¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Sean Flanagan| T: C W J Farrell| OR: 154| BF| CD

66/1

First run since leaving W. P. Mullins when well-beaten last of 3 to Song For Someone in Coral Hurdle at Ascot (19.3f, good to soft, 11/8) 161 days ago, reportedly bled. Has left Paul Nicholls.

Form: 4/1PP3-3

Minella Melody⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 142| CD

12/1

Useful hurdler. C&D winner. 12/1, 21¼ lengths seventh of 10 to Black Tears in David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham (19.9f, good to soft) 46 days ago.

Form: 10-2227

My Sister Sarah^p⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: B J Cooper| T: W P Mullins| OR: 143| CD

14/1

Useful hurdler. C&D winner. Creditable 11½ lengths fifth of 10 to Black Tears in David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham (19.9f, good to soft, 40/1) 46 days ago.

Form: B-22145

Politesse^t1¹⁵⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: C J Orr| T: L Fowler| OR: 124

80/1

Fair hurdler. 11/4, 33½ lengths fifth of 8 to Pink Sheets in listed hurdle at Newbury (16.3f, good) 154 days ago. Up in trip. Tongue strap on for first time. Difficult ask.

Form: 3211-55

Skyace²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: J S McGarvey| T: J J Hanlon| OR: 140| CD

8/1

4/1, career best when winning 12-runner Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Novices' Hurdle Championship Final at Fairyhouse (20f, good to soft) 27 days ago by ½ length from Gauloise, driven out.

Form: 6F1141

Stormy Ireland²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 148| C| D

7/2

Back with former yard and better than ever when winning 6-runner Underwriting Exchange Hurdle (Ballybin) at Fairyhouse (20f, good to soft) 26 days ago by 1¼ lengths from French Dynamite, driven out.

Form: 5-22921

Non-Runners

Global Equity²

Weight: 11-9| Age: 6

T: J P O'Brien J: J J Slevin

Forecasts

Concertista (8/11), Stormy Ireland (7/2), Skyace (8/1), Minella Melody (12/1), My Sister Sarah (14/1), Burning Victory (14/1), Global Equity (50/1), Laurina (66/1), Politesse (80/1)

Willie Mullins holds the aces again, with CONCERTISTA taken to gain compensation for a narrow defeat in the David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle in March. Stormy Ireland was superbly prepared to make a winning start back with her former handler at Fairyhouse and can chase her stablemate home.