Punchestown Festival 2011 - Rabobank Champion Hurdle

5.30 Punchestown

Rabobank Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) (Class 1)  (4YO plus)
Winner €96,000 

Pick: Hurricane Fly (win)

Alaivan: Began to recover best form this season, winning pair of small field contests with ease that his ratings demanded; Travelling well but unable to truly see out race when sixth in County Hurdle and this looks too tough; Well beaten in handicap company latest.

Binocular: Reached true potential when storming to impressive victory in Champion last year having been below par for a large par of the season, putting in blow par efforts in Fighting Fifth (5th) and Christmas Hurdles (3rd);Travelled very well considering condition in Fighting Fifth behind Peddlers Cross first time out and looked scarily close to his best given it was mid-season when putting together brilliant jumping display to win the Christmas Hurdle easily in January; Missed Champion but disappointing in Aintree Hurdle latest, travelling pretty well but finding noting off bridle; Drop back to this distance should help but lot to prove in all reality.

Balckstairmountain: Really impressive winner of novice equivalent at this meeting a year ago; Not found that form since though, failing to see out 2m4f fully on two separate occasions (especially weak finish latest); Likely that these are ideal conditions but few of these too good for him.

Hurricane Fly: Eight time Grade 1 winner who has proven difficult to get fit in past but has had full season this year, winning three Grade 1’s with ease before finally taking Champion Hurdle on first Cheltenham appearance latest; Travelled like class act all over that day and one to beat.

Menorah: Gutsy when winning the Supreme Novices Hurdle 12 months ago, and has really underlined his claims this season with convincing victories in the Greatwood and International hurdles, so disappointing when unable to make impact in Champion Hurdle; Nothing come to light but suspicion that he may have just needed the run (first start this year; Off since Dec 2010) and can do much better here.

Thousand Stars: Improved out of all recognition last season, third behind Hurricane Fly in last year’s renewal of this and confirmed this worth in open company with creditable runs in top company since, fourth in Champion, close/unlucky second in Aintree Hurdle latest; Can run well again although question marks possibly about how he’ll recover from Aintree run.

VERDICT: A chance for Menorah to show his true worth but even at his best he’ll struggle to stop HURRICANE FLY from repeating his victory in this race last year. The 51 day break will be just perfect for him to recover and he can confirm superiority with Thousand Stars from the Champion Hurdle. Binocular will be a threat to all if back to his best and that’s very possible if on a going day at an ideal trip.