4.20 Punchestown
Evening Herald Champion Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) (Class
1) (5YO plus)
Winner €49,600
Advice: 2 pts Trifolium (4.20), Sizing Europe (5.30) , Sir
Des Champs (6.40) treble (2/1 Paddy Power)
Alderwood: Highly progressive this season in last two runs,
winning Country Hurdle despite suffering barging match around home turn and
following that up with clear cut win in Grade 2 at Fairyhouse last time (ahead
of Midnight Game); Much softer ground here puts a significant poser for him but
has to be respected.
Laganbank: Beat Alderwood back in September but getting 6lbs
that day and rival has improved significantly since, while Laganbank himself
hasn’t won in 5 tries since; Weakes of trainer’s trip on ratings. 
Midnight Game: Very useful on the flat but only began to
truly realize that potential with his win at Naas in Listed novice hurdle,
beating Dylan Ross further than any other horse had going into the Supreme;
Disappointed there off the back of reports about unsatisfactory work and
flopped again behind Alderwood last time out; Others preferred. 
Simenon: Deeply impressive when winning at Cork but smashed
to pieces by Trifolium both over C&D and once again in the Supreme Novice
Hurdle, so others preferred here. Trifolium: Steady improver with racing this season, winning
impressive twice in December before improving once again to finish creditable
second to So Young; Excellent third in Supreme Novice Hurdle having been
interfered with around the home turn and that makes him the outstanding form
choice here with the ground not expected to be a problem.
VERDICT: The first Grade 1 of the last and longest jumping
festival, with the one spanner in the works being that nearly two inches of
rain have fallen on the ground, making conditions heavy. This will suit some
and put others off, but either way TRIFOLOIUM should take the beating in this
event, with his Supreme Novice Hurdle third the outstanding piece of form and
his previous wins all coming on heavy ground. Alderwood has been rapidly
progressive and deserves respect, but one feels a sounder surface might benefit
him more. This isn’t a betting race but those who want to try and make some
money should consider putting Trifolium in a favourites treble involving the
other two Grade 1 hotshots.
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