Champion Four Year Old Hurdle 2012

4.30 Punchestown

AES Champion Four Year Old Hurdle (Grade 1) (Class 1)  (4YO only)

Winner €49,600

Advice: 1 pt win Balder Succes (15/8 general)

Arnaud: Useful enough juvenile who performed well enough off a mark of 132 when fifth in the Fred Winter at Cheltenham but disappointed in Grade 2 at Fairyhouse and needs much more than that here.

Balder Succes: Came to Britain with only the one hurdles starts under his belt but since proven to be seriously high class over hurdles, unbeaten in three UK starts before unlucky Triumph fall; Never in danger of losing at Ascot against older horses previously though and has to be given a big chance here with soft ground not a problem to him.

Darroun: Made several mistakes when unable to get past Shadow Catcher (Grade 1 second) on heavy ground at Punchestown but beat Hisaabaat with bit in hand at Leopardstown nearly a month on; Runner up (reopposes) went onto win Grade 1 Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown so disappointing that Darroun couldn’t do better in the Triumph but should be given a chance here despite looking like second best of stable on riding arrangements.

Darwins Threory: Won nicely at Wexford latest but had previously been well held by Darroun and Hisaabaat so has to have found 10lbs improvement inbetween and that looks unlikely.

Edeyemi: Even more disappointing that Arunaud in Grade 3 at Fairyhouse when finishing stone last, having won well at Clonmel to follow several solid efforts (then second to Une Artiste at Cheltenham Festival); Needs more than that today and held by Darroun and Shadow Catcher on Punchestown form earlier.

His Excellency: Has been severely held back by his tendency to swish tail under pressure, running shockers in maiden company before running on Grade 2 second; Masterful ride when delivered late and perfectly to land Grade 2 but exposed by several of these and hard to fancy as he has something to find.

Hisaabaat: Had become a little frustrating after unseating on debut with 3 runner up efforts but chose perfect time to break his maiden with Grade 1 success (blinkers), following route of very useful Unaccompanied for same yard; Really good second in Triumph makes him arguable form choice but get feeling that better ground improved him a lot there despite previous soft/heavy ground form and that the question today.

Secret Edge: Made more than a few mistakes on debut at Chepstow when only just losing out late on and major improvement from that led to him winning Listed juvenile hurdle, when making good use of stamina late on (followed up in easier company since); Shaped as if he would be suited by a step up in trip when third in the Finale Juvenile Hurdle and then again better when third behind Battonier at Cheltenham, although he could never get into the Neptune; Needs more here despite clearly handling cut.

Shadow Catcher: Made a great hurdling debut (sent off favourite) when beating Darroun (who made several jumping mistakes) on debut at Punchestown; Travelled best for long way when second in Spring Juvenile Hurdle (pulled hard and sloppy over the last two) when just behind Hissabaat and didn’t get a great run throughought the Triumph, so has to be shown respect here given his maiden hurdle win on heavy and one of the main players.

Unkown Rebel: Sent off favourite for hurdling debut but ran wide on Paddock and never really into it after that, but 15 length beating of Kazilan looks really good right now; Ground and class still a worry though.

Ut De Sivola: Looked to have a future when winning first two starts (in heavy ground) with relative ease, although Hissabaat cost himself with mistake at the last in Grade contest (Ut De Sivola pulled very hard that day); Struck into himself when lacklustre seventh in Spring Juvenile Hurdle and never in the Triumph but still stable choice of Ruby Walsh and trainer seems very bullish about his chances.

Wingtips: Only had the three runs but big improvement on every single one of them, namely when fifth in the Triumph Hurdle last time; That has him down as a horse going the right way but

Maggie Neary: AW handicap winner off 79 on the flat who had looked useful when landing maiden hurdle at Gowran but well beaten next time out when upped in class at the same track and much more needed.

VERDICT: Triumph Hurdle runner up Hissabaat has to be respected and he – like a few of the field – has form in ground listed as soft to heavy, but he might have improved for the better conditions at Cheltenham and there’s a feeling that Darroun and Shadow Catcher weren’t at their best on that day – both handle testing condtions well enough based on their maiden hurdle form. BALDER SUCCES is a fairly short priced favourite at just 15/8 but he’s already won in heavy ground and looked as if he could go in any Grade when romping home at Ascot before falling in the Triumph, while he also represents a very strong juvenile team in Alan King.