Ladies Day at Punchestown

It’s all about the girls at Punchestown today as the unbeaten Honeysuckle and Rachael Blackmore take top billing in the Grade 1 Paddy Power Champion Hurdle.

The pair set Cheltenham alight last month with a storming performance to win the Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy, Honeysuckle’s twelfth straight success since beginning her career in a Dromahane Point-to-Point three years ago.

The mare came home with six and a half lengths and more to spare over her rivals at Cheltenham and on the same terms today it is very difficult to see Sharjah (second), Epatante (third), Aspire Tower (fourth) or Goshen (eighth) turning the form around. Honeysuckle is the worthy 8/13 favourite with betway.

Abacadabras was an early faller when sent off a 10/1 chance in the Cheltenham race and since got back on track with a victory at Aintree so could represent a bit of each-way value at 9/1 with betway in today’s Champion Hurdle.

Elsewhere on the card Blackmore partners the mighty Bob Olinger in the Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle (Grade 1). The pair were easy winners of the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last month when beating Gaillard Du Mesnil by seven and a half lengths.

Mullins’ runner is in opposition again but even over today’s slightly shorter trip it would be a stretch to anticipate him turning the form around with Bob Olinger.

The Champion Hunters’ Chase could well see Caid Du Berlais complete the hat-trick of wins in the Amateur Rider’s showpiece. The Rose loxton-trained gelding won this race in both 2018 and 2019 under regular rider Will Biddick and is back to have a shot at a record-equalling third victory in the race.

At 12 years of age Caid Du Berlais’ best days are most likely behind him but he bounced back from a disappointing effort at Cheltenham to win two Hunters Chases in recent weeks and must have a reasonable chance of matching the feats of Sheltering and On The Fringe by winning a third straight Champion Hunters’ Chase.

With no runner from the all-conquering Willie Mullins yard in today’s concluding Bumper, Champion Amateur Patrick Mullins is a notable booking on the Gavin Cromwell trained My Mate Mozzie. This expensive purchase was a ready winner of a Tattersalls point-to-point in December when in the care of Mullins’ aunt Mags and is the most likely winner of a race with very little worthwhile form to go on.

Bryan Cooper comes in for the ride on top weight Asterion Forlonge in the second race on the card, the EMS Copiers Novice Handicap Steeplechase. This former Grade 1 winner over hurdles is steadily finding his feet over fences and with a clear round of jumping should be a contender off a mark of 152 over fences.

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