Supasundae takes a dramatic BETDAQ Champion Hurdle

On a week filled with drama and excitement, the BETDAQ 2% Commission Punchestown Champion Hurdle certainly didn’t fail to follow the script as Supasundae took full advantage of the misfortune of his rivals to land the day four feature in front of 33,082 racegoers.

All eyes were on Samcro as the Gordon Elliott-trained gelding stepped out of novice company and put his unbeaten record on the line, while Champion Hurdle runner-up Melon looked the chief danger.

However both the principals in the market fell independently at the third last when closing in on the front-running Wicklow Brave

Supasundae struck the front off the home bend and soon asserted approaching the final flight.

However a mistake at the last meant Robbie Power needed to drive the 7/1 chance right out to beat Wicklow Brave by three and a quarter lengths. Bleu Berry who was hampered in the incident three out, finished a further 19 lengths back in third.

Supasundae wins the @BETDAQ Punchestown Champion Hurdle! @punchestownrace pic.twitter.com/bxiGBfoYEL

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) April 27, 2018

Jessica Harrington, “I don’t know whether he got lucky or what. He was flat to the boards. He’s been running over longer distances and we’ve been getting him to relax, and suddenly Robert is saying to him today come on you have to go faster.

“He was upsides the other two when they fell and he would have always stayed on. When he got to the front he didn’t do too much. He’s had a fantastic year when you think of it and I’ve no complaints.

“He went to Cheltenham, Aintree and here so he’s done well. I think he stays better on better ground. He can cope with the soft ground but it probably just saps a bit of his stamina.

“He’s probably as good over two miles as three, and he just happened to meet L’ami Serge on a going day at Aintree.

“It’s great to have one to come back and win a Grade 1 here. It’s been a good half-hour or so!”

Robbie Power said, "When you look back on it, myself and Jessie probably got it wrong at Cheltenham and maybe he should have run in the Champion Hurdle.

"I felt going to the third last that Melon was definitely flat to the boards and I was starting to close in on Samcro and maybe he was flat out too and maybe that's why he fell. We'll never know the answer to it and my horse deserved a bit of luck this season, as he's been ultra consistent and hasn't been out of the first three and has only competed in Grade 1 races all year.

"For a horse who couldn't jump when we got him, he has got very very good at it and his jumping kept him in it. He jumped super the last day and was pulling up in front today. He is a credit to his owners and his trainer."

Samcro's trainer Gordon Elliott said, "I couldn’t have been happier with how he was travelling and jumping. He looked like he was loving it. He will be something to look forward to next year.

“Jack said he just skidded at the back of the hurdle. He didn’t make a mistake and just didn’t get the gear out. Once the horse is okay and the jockey is okay that’s the main thing."

(TW & AM)