Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 15:13 | Winning time: 3m 52.05s

Pied Piper^t³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 147| D

66/1

Smart but couldn't live with Vauban in last season's Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham. Returned to win at Cheltenham and Down Royal (Grade 2) in the autumn but ran abysmally behind State Man and Vauban in the Matheson. Likely to come up short even if back to his best.

Form: 13D-115

State Man³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 167| CD

6/5

Fell on his C&D yard debut but unbeaten since, completing a Grade 1 hat-trick when proving 4¼ lengths too strong for reopposing stablemate Vauban in Matheson over C&D at the Christrmas meeting. Did that under only a hands-and-heels ride so there's likely even more to come.

Form: F111-11

Vauban^t³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 160| CD

9/2

Burst on to the scene when winning the Grade 1 juvenile at this meeting last year and went on to land the Triumph at Cheltenham and the Champion 4-y-o Hurdle at Punchestown in the spring. Encouraging return to action when 4¼ lengths to State Man in the Matheson over C&D in December. More to come.

Form: 2111-2

Zanahiyr^p,t³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: D F O'Regan| T: G Elliott| OR: 157| CD

66/1

Very smart hurdler at his best (second to Honeysuckle in this last year) but well below par on both outings this term. Can make mistakes. Has something to prove for the time being.

Form: 223F-7P

Honeysuckle⁶³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 165| BF| CD

11/8

Outstanding mare who was unbeaten, including 3 wins in this, until finishing 2¾ lengths third to Teahupoo in Hatton's Grace at Fairyhouse (19.5f) on her reappearance in December. On the positive side she has taken a good step forward from first to second run in her previous campaigns.

Form: 1/1111-3

Non-Runners

Takarengo¹

Weight: 11-12| Age: 7

T: T Mullins J: J B Foley

Forecasts

State Man (6/5), Honeysuckle (11/8), Vauban (9/2), Pied Piper (66/1), Zanahiyr (66/1), Takarengo (200/1)

STATE MAN was most impressive when beating Vauban in the Matheson here over Christmas and can confirm his superiority over his stable-companion and land a fourth Grade 1 in a row. Honeysuckle, who has won the last 3 runnings of this, would obviously be a major threat to both if shrugging off a below-par reappearance run in the Hatton's Grace.