Paddy Power Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 17:25 | Winning time: 3m 58.9s

Colonel Mustard^p1⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Kieren Buckley| T: L Fowler| OR: 145| CD

33/1

Smart hurdler. Creditable second of 10 in handicap hurdle (9/2) at Ayr (16f, good) 6 days ago. Cheekpieces on for 1st time. Hard to make a case for here, though.

Form: 37-4222

Pied Piper^t⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: G Elliott| OR: 157| CD

22/1

Very smart hurdler. C&D winner. 2 wins from 5 runs this season. Good second of 24 in handicap hurdle (12/1) at Cheltenham (16.8f, good to soft) 42 days ago. In the mix.

Form: D-11542

Sharjah^t¹⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 158| CD

14/1

Very smart hurdler. C&D winner. 20/1, creditable 3 lengths second of 6 to Constitution Hill in Aintree Hurdle at Aintree (20f, good) 15 days ago. Yard having good spell so he's firmly in the picture.

Form: 1-23242

State Man⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 166| CD

2/5

Top-class hurdler. 7/2, 9 lengths second of 7 to Constitution Hill in Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham (16.4f, soft) 45 days ago. Stable in good form. Very much the one to beat.

Form: 11-1112

Vauban^t⁴⁵

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

10/3

High-class hurdler. C&D winner. 15¼ lengths fourth of 7 to Constitution Hill in Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham (16.4f, soft, 16/1) 45 days ago. Stable having good spell. Considered for place purposes.

Form: 111-234

Zanahiyr^p,t¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G Elliott| OR: 158| D

22/1

Very smart hurdler. 14/1, creditable 3½ lengths third of 6 to Constitution Hill in Aintree Hurdle at Aintree (20f, good) 15 days ago. Not discounted.

Form: F-7P533

Forecasts

State Man (2/5), Vauban (10/3), Sharjah (14/1), Zanahiyr (22/1), Pied Piper (22/1), Colonel Mustard (33/1)

STATE MAN has no Constitution Hill to contend with this time so is confidently expected to resume winning ways after his Champion Hurdle second and make it 5-6 for the season. Stablemates Sharjah and Vauban are fancied to chase home Willie Mullins' top-class hurdler in that order.