4.20 Punchestown
Herald Champion Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) (Class 1) (5YO plus)
Winner €55,800 - 8 run
Advice: 1 pt each/way Western Boy (15/2 Bet365)
Faugheen: One of the most anticipated novice hurdlers of the
season before jumping a flight, such was his domination of Josses Hill in
bumper here last year, and marked himself as horse of outstanding potential
with unbeaten novice season that culminated in Neptune Novices Hurdle romp;
Taking a sharp drop back in trip today which may put more pressure on his
jumping hut has never looked short of speed and the one to beat in no uncertain
terms. 
Quickpick Vic: So good when breaking his maiden in style at
Leopardstown over Christmas but a long way behind Vatour in the Deloitte and
Valsur Lido and Real Steel well ahead in their meeting last time.
Real Steel: Taken a big step forward with each hurdling run,
fulfilling promise of 17 length maiden hurdle win when landing Grade 2 novice
hurdle and then going down fighting when second to Valseur Lido at Fairyhouse
last time, with a Grade 2 penalty weighting him down in finish; Worry today
that this is his first run on good ground, however. 
Sgt Reckless: Disappointed after making a strong start to
bumper career and made up into a much better hurdler, winning well at Kempton
before losing out at Christmas in small contest there; Vastly improved when
outrunning his odds in Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (turned horrible position into
fourth) and travelled as well as Josses Hill (Supreme runner up) at Aintree
although he finished weakly having went so well and was well put in his place;
Can go well again.
The Liquidator: Won Champion Bumper here after Cheltenham
fourth and looked set to take high rank over hurdles after impressive win at
Cheltenham but disappointment in Tolworth and Supreme Novices’ Hurdle; If back
to best, interesting here but hard to trust after such poor efforts.
Valseur Lido: Looked a serious prospect when winning maiden
and novice hurdle in style after arrival from France and while only midfield in
Supreme Novices Hurdle, back on winning trail in style when landing Grade 2
last time from Real Steel; Getting 6lbs that day although foolish to assume there’s
not a lot more to come and taken seriously. 
Western Boy: Strong bumper form includes 2nd to
Wicklow Brave and impressive start in maiden hurdle over this C&D and then
pushed Supreme winner Vatour close in Grade 2; Seventh in Supreme at Cheltenham
was a creditable run when not too far behind Sgt Reckless and Wicklow Brave in
the Supreme and a contender here. 
Wicklow Brave: Sixth in Supreme Novices’ but could have gone
even closer but for hitting the front well before the home straight; However
seemed to be feeling effects of those exertions badly when a limp sixth last
time behind Valseur Lido and turned out quickly afterwards here.
VERDICT: This is the first time FAUGHEEN has appeared over 2
miles in nearly a year and his first time hurdling but such was the speed he
showed in winning the Neptune at Cheltenham at his class – assuming that his
jumping isn’t a serious problem at this shorter trip – should see him to
victory in what may be a possible tilt at a Champion Hurdle campaign. Best of
the rest, most of them coming from the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, may be WESTERN
BOY, who pushed Vatour very close before his seventh at Cheltenham, with
Valseur Lido and Sergeant Reckless also respected.
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