5.30 Punchestown
Rabobank Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) (Class 1) (4YO plus)
Winner €96,000
Hurricane Fly: Confirmed himself the best 2 miler around
without question last season, winning 5 Grade 1’s in deeply impressive style,
the culmination of that from a visual impression probably being his win here
despite his Champion Hurdle success; Setbacks had threatened to impair his
chances of success but came back in stunning style when winning the Irish
Champion Hurdle; Sent off a short priced favourite to retain his Champion
Hurdle on that basis but could never get into the race, ending up a well beaten
third; Many people saw him as below his best there but this a much easier task.
The Real Article: Twice a Grade 2 winner over 2 miles
earlier on in the season and respectable efforts in Grade 1 company when third
and fourth in Hatton and Christmas Hurdle respectively 
Thousand Stars: Revelation over past two seasons, filling
the frame in plenty of Grade 1’s last season (second to Hurricane Fly in last
year’s renewal) and finally got a Grade 1 of his very own when winning the
French Champion Hurdle; Not been quite as good this season but still performed
to a very high level and World Hurdle fourth along with Aintree second two very
good runs this year. 
Zaidpour: Went unbeaten in 4 since coming seventh in last
year’s Supreme Novice Hurdle, all of those on soft/heavy ground; Given canny
ride to beat Voler La Vedette in Galmoy Hurdle and had little to beat in Gowran
Grade 2 although he did it handily; Only eighth in Champion but move back to
this ground could see him contend once again.
VERDICT: This looks to be a walkover for HURRICANE FLY, who
has coped with conditions similar to these in the past when winning the Irish
Champion Hurdle, and he can once again beat Thousand Stars and Zaidpour despite
offering no value either in singles or doubles/trebles at just 2/5.
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