16:00 Punchestown

Saturday 1 May 2021

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

Ballymore Champion Four Year Old Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 16:00 | Winning time: 3m 50.0s

Druid's Altar⁴⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: H Morgan| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 131| C| D

100/1

Fairly useful hurdler, winning twice this season. Down the field in Fred Winter last time, though, and doesn't look up to this.

Form: 136210

Haut En Couleurs⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins

15/8

Won on debut in France then switched to Willie Mullins before finishing excellent 3¼ lengths third to Quilixios in Triumph at Cheltenham. Surely more to come after only 2 starts.

Form: 13

Jeff Kidder²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade| OR: 137| D

22/1

Much improved when 80-1 winner of Fred Winter at Cheltenham Festival but showed that was no fluke when bagging Fairyhouse Grade 2 3 weeks later. This demands an even bigger performance, though.

Form: 221711

Mica Malpic^t1¹⁹³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Mark Walsh| T: David Cottin

125/1

Looked useful when taking Compiegne newcomers event in June but last of 6 when a short-priced favourite back there 4 months later. Pitched in at deep end back from further 6 months off.

Form: 16

Palace Rock⁵⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: D F O'Regan| T: Francis Casey| D

66/1

Fairly useful winner on Flat. Created a good impression when making a successful switch to hurdles at Navan last month. More to come but this a big ask.

Form: 1

Quilixios⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 150| CD

11/8

Won all three starts for Gordon Elliott, including defeat of Saint Sam in Leopardstown Grade 1 in February. Extended unbeaten run when landing Triumph at Cheltenham for new yard. Hard to beat again.

Form: 1-1111

Saint Sam^h⁴⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 143| BF

11/1

Dual winner in France. Better form when chasing home Quilixios in Grade 1 at Leopardstown and Jeff Kidder (conceded him 14 lb) in Fred Winter at Cheltenham on last 2 starts.

Form: 112422

Zanahiyr^t⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Jack Kennedy| T: Mrs D Foster| OR: 145| BF| D

9/2

Won first 3 hurdles, including Leopardstown Grade 1 over Christmas. Off 3 months, 4½ lengths fourth to Quilixios (Haut En Couleurs) in Triumph at Cheltenham in March.

Form: 1114

Zoffanien¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Donagh Meyler| T: D Hogan| OR: 140| BF

40/1

Useful hurdler. 6/5, career best when winning 16-runner handicap hurdle at Ballinrobe (17.6f, good to soft) 15 days ago but this a whole different ball game.

Form: 321821

Forecasts

Quilixios (11/8), Haut En Couleurs (15/8), Zanahiyr (9/2), Saint Sam (11/1), Jeff Kidder (22/1), Zoffanien (40/1), Palace Rock (66/1), Druid's Altar (100/1), Mica Malpic (125/1)

A Triumph rematch, with QUILIXIOS taken to confirm his superiority over Haut En Couleurs and Zanahiyr and extend his unbeaten record over hurdles to 6.