18:05 Punchestown

Thursday 30 April 2026

All14:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:2518:0518:35

Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 18:05 | Winning time: 6m 2.30s

Bob Olinger⁴⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 158| C| D

4/1

Veteran who was no match for Teahupoo in the Christmas Hurdle on reappearance, but he ran a stormer from a less-than-ideal position when finishing third in defence of his Stayers' Hurdle crown at Cheltenham and another bold bid is expected.

Form: 2/221-23

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Franciscan Rock^p,t⁵⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Josh Williamson| T: M F Morris| OR: 140| CD

28/1

Enhanced a solid record at the Cheltenham Festival when runner-up in the BetMGM handicap there last month but he's finished well held in the previous 2 renewals of this event.

Form: 334952

Honesty Policy^t¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: H Cobden| T: G Elliott| OR: 153| BF

6/1

Grade 1 novice winner who backed up his creditable fifth in the Stayers at Cheltenham when third in the Liverpool Hurdle last time. Neither of those races got to the bottom of him, and he remains with the potential to be a serious force in this division.

Form: 112-353

Jimmy Du Seuil²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 155

9/1

Very smart 2025 Coral Cup winner who remains unexposed over staying trips, though he has fallen short in Grade 1 company to date, most recently when third in a 2½ novice chase at Fairyhouse.

Form: 5/1-14F3

Kawaboomga²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 148

5/1

Lightly-raced 6-y-o who had strong form in maidens last season, and he took a notable step forward from his reappearance when runner-up in a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse (2½m) earlier this month. Still far from exposed and could prove dangerous if 3m is within his range.

Form: 13/21-42

Meet And Greet^p1¹⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Phillip Enright| T: O McKiernan| OR: 140

150/1

Useful hurdler and posted his best effort over fences when runner-up at Down Royal last time. Cheekpieces go on for the return to hurdles, but he's likely to be out of his depth, as was the case in this race 12 months ago.

Form: 2P-7582

Teahupoo^b1⁴⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 163| BF| CD

5/4

Again looked the one to beat in this division when an impressive winner of the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown. There were mitigating factors for his subsequent sixth in the Stayers at Cheltenham and with first-time blinkers added, he can win this race for the third year on the bounce.

Form: 221-116

Jetara^b⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Sam Ewing| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 137| C| D

20/1

Finished third in the 2025 renewal of this race but hasn't looked the same force in recent months, finishing well held in the David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham on her latest start.

Form: 33-3735

Forecasts

Teahupoo (5/4), Bob Olinger (4/1), Kawaboomga (5/1), Honesty Policy (6/1), Jimmy Du Seuil (9/1), Jetara (20/1), Franciscan Rock (28/1), Meet And Greet (150/1)

There are plenty of reasons to believe that TEAHUPOO can bounce back from his Cheltenham blip, notably the addition of first-time blinkers, and he's taken to land this race for the third consecutive season. Bob Olinger looks as good as ever, despite his veteran status, and may prove the main danger. Honesty Policy has a bigger performance in him, though as at Cheltenham and Aintree, the pace set-up may not be favourable.