15:40 Punchestown

Tuesday 30 April 2024

All14:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:2518:0018:35

KPMG Champion Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 4m 7.20s

Asian Master⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr T Costello| T: W P Mullins| OR: 144| D

12/1

Much improved upon joining Willie Mullins, displaying useful form when supplementing his Thurles success in a Navan novice (2m, heavy) in January. Ran well up in class when 5¼ lengths fourth of 11 to Slade Steel in Supreme at Cheltenham since and each-way claims.

Form: 11-4114

Fascile Mode³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Sean Flanagan| T: T Mullins| OR: 132| CD

200/1

Won a C&D maiden on return to action in October but has seemingly had his limitations exposed in Graded company subsequently. Looks up against it again.

Form: 4-16485

Firefox¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 146| D

9/2

Useful, 3-time bumper winner who has reached a smart level over hurdles, third in Supreme at Cheltenham and best effort yet when ½-length second of 6 to Mystical Power in Top Novices' Hurdle at Aintree (16.5f) 18 days ago. Entitled to be thereabouts again.

Form: 1-11432

Ile Atlantique¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 145| D

10/1

Gowran maiden winner on hurdle debut and placed in Grade 1 novices around this trip at Naas and Cheltenham next 2 starts. Not seen to best effect in Aintree Grade 1 earlier this month but he remains unexposed at around 2m and better showing not ruled out here.

Form: 22-1235

King Of Kingsfield⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Jordan Gainford| T: G Elliott| OR: 140| D

28/1

Useful in bumpers and similar form over hurdles, excellent second in Grade 1 Royal Bond prior to comfortably opening his account in Leopardstown maiden. Latest run in County Hurdle probably best excused and unlikely we've seen the best of him just yet in this sphere.

Form: 222130

Mystical Power^h¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 148| CD

2/1

5-y-o out of top-class mare Annie Power who found only Slade Steel too good at Cheltenham but quickly back to winning ways when fending off Firefox in Top Novices' Hurdle at Aintree 18 days ago. Should be in the mix again provided this doesn't come too soon.

Form: 11121

Slade Steel^t⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 151| CD

5/2

Point/bumper winner who has made rapid progress over hurdles, posting his best effort yet when running out a good winner of the Supreme at the Festival 7 weeks ago. Had a number of these behind him then and big player on just his fifth hurdles start.

Form: 13-1121

Tullyhill^t⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 149| BF| CD

7/1

Smart bumper performer. Turned over at short odds on hurdle debut but dominant when landing next 2 starts, latterly in listed company here (15.9f) in February. Latest run in the Supreme at Cheltenham was disappointing but no real surprise to see a better showing with Paul Townend keeping the faith.

Form: 12-2118

Fun Fun Fun^h1³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins| OR: 134| D

33/1

Useful in bumpers and reached a similar level over hurdles, gaining a third success in this sphere in Grade 3 at Navan in March. Shaped like a non-stayer upped to 20f in Grade 1 mares' novice at Fairyhouse since but she's a good bit to find with a few on these terms.

Form: 4-12116

Forecasts

Mystical Power (2/1), Slade Steel (5/2), Firefox (9/2), Tullyhill (7/1), Ile Atlantique (10/1), Asian Master (12/1), King Of Kingsfield (28/1), Fun Fun Fun (33/1), Fascile Mode (200/1)

SLADE STEEL continued his rapid progress over hurdles when running out a good winner of the Supreme at Cheltenham, doing well in the circumstances having fluffed the last flight. He has the potential to rate higher still and can confirm form over recent Aintree 1-2 Mystical Power and Firefox. Tullyhill, a disappointment at the Festival, isn't underestimated either.