Boodles Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 18:00 | Winning time: 4m 4.7s

Colonel Mustard^b⁵²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: J J Slevin| T: L Fowler| OR: 148| CD

33/1

Shaped as if as good as ever back from 11 weeks off when runner-up in the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton (15.2f) in February. Ran about as well as could be expected when fifth behind State Man in Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham since and he's likely to come up short again here.

Form: 23-2525

Irish Point⁵²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 158| D

7/2

Wrapped up his novice hurdle campaign with a 2½m Grade 1 success at Aintree. Improved again this season, winning Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown in December prior to an excellent second behind State Man in the Champion Hurdle in March and he rates the chief threat once more.

Form: 411-112

Sir Gerhard⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 152| C| D

22/1

Leading novice hurdler of 2021/22 campaign and gained a second hurdles victory of current campaign at Cork (2m) in March. Similar form when third in Grade 2 at Sandown (21.5f) 6 days ago but plenty on his plate back at the top table.

Form: PF101-3

State Man⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 169| CD

2/7

Top-class hurdler who landed this race 12 months ago and remained unbeaten in 4 starts this campaign, not needing to be at his best when beating Irish Point in the Champion Hurdle in March. Not hard to envisage him adding yet another Grade 1 to his haul.

Form: 21-1111

Forecasts

State Man (2/7), Irish Point (7/2), Sir Gerhard (22/1), Colonel Mustard (33/1)

STATE MAN gained yet another Grade 1 when adding the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March to his impressive haul and Willie Mullins' 7-y-o is hard to oppose in his bid to supplement his win in this race 12 months ago. Irish Point ran very well when chasing home the selection at Cheltenham and he comfortably rates the chief threat.