Punchestown Festival 2013 - World Series Hurdle

5.30 Punchestown

Ladbrokes World Series Hurdle (grade 1) (Class 1)  (4YO plus)

Winner €105,400

Advice: 1 pt win Quevega (2/1 general)

Fiveforthree: Winner of this four seasons ago (half second to Solwhit in Aintree Hurdle before then) but blighted by injury since, having run only twice since 2011; Terrific return in Coral Cup off 149 but so much more needed here on that form and bounce a big factor.

Holywell: Been improving steadily with racing this season and always had a big handicap in him, as he showed when taking to blinkers and running out a ready winner of Pertemps at Cheltenham before second to Solwhit at Aintree; Needs to find something else to win here but had strong season never the less.

Reve De Sivola: Has been revived by a step back to hurdling over 3m this season and destroyed his opposition at Ascot over Christmas before then winning Cleeve Hurdle; Some way behind Solwhit in World Hurdle but entitled to get closer with this softer ground and that one having gone to Aintree; Solid chance.

Solwhit: Remarkable comeback from tendon injury, having previously been a top class 2m/2m4f hurdler; Unbeaten in three races since comeback, tenacious at the finish of World Hurdle and deeply impressive at Aintree when beating Holywell; The one to beat on that form but has had long season squashed into relatively short period of time and this his third major festival; Still, the one they all have to beat.

Whatuthink: Competitive when front running in Grade 2 at Leopardstown but well run down in the end and similar scenario here on the cards.

Zaidpour: Won first Grade 1 in senior ranks when winning Hatton’s Grace, adding yet another win to those gained on soft ground; Been exposed several times since and looking at a place at best.

Quevega: The undoubted queen of jump racing, her last defeat having come in 2009 when 3 lengths third to Solwhit in Champion Hurdle here; Since won four more Mares Hurdles at Cheltenham, and three editions of this race in even more impressive fashion, brutalizing Voler La Vedette last year by 5 and a half lengths; Had to work as hard as she ever has for her record breaking fifth Festival success and while that won’t be good enough, she has always improved (as one that’s campaigned like she is should) from that run and can do so again; Primed for today.

VERDICT: The duel between Solwhit and QUEVEGA has been one of the most fiercely anticipated events of the week, with preference for Willie Mullin’s mare to deny Solwhit – who has been so impressive this season – a historic cross festival treble. Charles Brynes’s charge sets a standard that she’s never reached over hurdles as a stayer, but Quevega promises to improve from her Cheltenham Festival victory and comes here primed to reach her peak, while Solwhit has had just 19 days to come from Aintree after a hard World Hurdle success, and that may tip the balance in the mare’s favour. Should either one of the two disappoint, Reve De Sivola will be there to pounce on the ground he so adores.