Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 14:46 | Winning time: 4m 1.0s

Bob Olinger³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 159

11/1

High-class chaser who has reverted to hurdles this term, going 2-2 in 4-runner Relkeel Hurdle (6/4) at Cheltenham (20.2f, soft) 34 days ago by 7 lengths from Marie's Rock. Shouldn't be underestimated.

Form: P/253-11

Impaire Et Passe³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: D A Jacob| T: W P Mullins| OR: 160| D

10/3

Unbeaten over hurdles last term, including victories in the Ballymore at Cheltenham and Grade 1 Champion Novice at Punchestown (19f). Shaped well when second in Hatton's Grace at Fairyhouse (2½m) and Matheson Hurdle at this C&D (beaten 3¼ lengths by State Man) this winter. Player.

Form: 1111-22

State Man³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 167| CD

2/5

No match for Constitution Hill in last season's Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham but that's his only defeat in his last 10 starts, winning a second successive Morgiana at Punchestown and Matheson Hurdle at this C&D this winter. Also took this 12 months ago so he's very much the one to beat.

Form: 1121-11

Echoes In Rain^t³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: D E Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 152| D

28/1

Smart hurdler. Not disgraced when 11¼ lengths third of 4 to State Man in Matheson Hurdle at this C&D (soft, 18/1) 37 days ago. Much respected.

Form: F141-23

Non-Runners

Fils D'oudairies³⁷

Weight: 11-12| Age: 9

T: G Elliott J: Jack Kennedy

Forecasts

State Man (2/5), Impaire Et Passe (10/3), Bob Olinger (11/1), Echoes In Rain (28/1), Fils D'oudairies (100/1)

STATE MAN has found only the mighty Constitution Hill too good in his last ten outings and took this prize 12 months ago so is hard to oppose. Stablemate Impaire Et Passe chased home the selection in the Matheson over C&D last time and again rates second best ahead of Bob Olinger and Echoes In Rain.