5.30 Punchestown
Rabobank Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) (Class 1) (4YO plus)
Winner €119,499
Hurricane Fly: Beaten only three times under rules, and one
of them was when Rock On Ruby turned him over in Champion Hurdle last year, but
has been imperious since and one of his career bests when taking back his crown
with outstanding Cheltenham romp; This has been a formality for him in last
three seasons, and with heavy ground probably ruining any hopes that Rock On
Ruby has of reversing form, it looks that way again. 
Midnight Game: Promise as novice hurdler last season but
never quite lived upto it and not built fully upon his pair of 2m hurdles wins
this season.
Mister Benedictine: Pulled up quickly as if something wrong
last time in bid for four timer in handicap company; This a completely
different task.
Rebel Fitz: Classy sort, good as novice, impressive when
winning at TIppeerary in July and even better when landing Galway Hurdle;
Return was respectable too considering he’d been off for so long but place at
best here. 
Rock On Ruby: Capped off fine first senior season with
convincing victory in Champion Hurdle of 2012, with Hurricane Fly well in
arrears; Everything geared around a repeat this season and put up fierce
defence of title but outsped and outclassed by Hurricane fly and fail to see
how he reverses that form on this ground.
So Young: Likes the mud and finally gained a big graded race
when clear victor over Zaidpour at Gowran in Febuary but this level of
competition exalted for him. 
Thousand Stars: For on so consistent, has had mad season,
lifeless at Tiipperary earlier in season and then beaten 40 lengths in Boyne
Hurdle, but back to best when third in Aintree Hurdle (clearly likes Aintree);
Looks booked for third or second if on that form.
VERDICT: Little more than a walkover for HURRICANE FLY, who
was imperious when taking back his crown at Cheltenham from the admirable Rock
On Ruby, who has had his chances ruined by the bad ground. Thousand Stars may
challenge him for second, but only if he really, really flounders.
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