Punchestown - Champion Four Year Old Hurdle

4.20 Punchestown  

AES Champion Four Year Old Hurdle (Grade 1) (Class 1)  (4YO only)

Winner €62,000

Already Advised: 4 pts win Tiger Roll, 1^st May, (5/2 general)

Abbyssial: Shaped with promise on only French start and unbeaten in three starts for Willie Mullins, impressing on debut when making all and then attitude when winning tougher contests the next twice, fighting off stablemate Adriana Des Motttes in tenacious style at Fairyhouse; Early faller and bought down that one at Cheltenham and no surprise to see a bold showing.

Fox Norton: Form of close second to Royal Irish Hussar doesn’t look too bad now and neither does his second to Broughton, but disappointing at Aintree, albeit first run after a long mid season break; Possible that he can improve in the hood but major questions over him now.

Guitar Pete: Has been a star from the word go early in the season and gave a convicting beating of Tiger Roll in main Triumph trial at Leopardstown, although that form empathically reversed in Triumph; Loooked in trouble but as pace collapsed around him, much the best in Aintree Grade 1 equivalent. 

Kentucky Hyden: Looked an extremely good type when he put 33 lengths between him and rivals at Sandown but in three defeats since then imitations looked to have been exposed, especially when he was thrashed by sadly absent Le Rocher in Triumph trial; Ran a screamer in the Triumph when second although well beaten by the winner and don’t expect a form reversal here.

Kitten Rock: Easy winner of first two hurdles starts and then improved on that form when running Ivan Grozny very close in Fairyhouse Grade 3; Race was well contested beforehand and moral winner at the weights although this another step up on top of that and runner up long way behind Triumph form.

Lindenhurst: Got the better of Guitar Pete after finishing runner up to him but that was last October and only ninth in Triumph; Needed that based on better effort last time but behind Kitten Rock there and not sure there’s any reason for form reversal.

Pearl Castle: Beaten long way on debut but then a deeply impressive winner at Doncaster and penalty didn’t stop him from following up there; Only seventh in Triumph but notable that connections keen to go again and cant rule out a better showing.

Plinth: Looked as if he had a real future when winning on debut but sloppy jumping let him down at Leopardstown and twice disappointing since; Others preferred.

Royal Irish Hussar: Disappointment behind Fox Norton but previous success at Cheltenham reads very well and every chance he will be much better than at Cheltenham (first run of year) today; Cheekpieces could see him in a better light and big showing no surprise.

Space Ship: Tongue tie looks long overdue for hard puller who finished fifth after jumping badly behind Plinth at Leopardstown and was then fourth to Broughton in Triumph hurdle trial at Musselburgh; Best flat form on better ground which bodes well but looks out of depth.

Tiger Roll: Deeply impressive winner on debut, then sold to Gigginstown and looked value for every penny when second to Guitar Pete at Leopardstown in Champion Trial and came on more than anyone could’ve anticipated in main event, travelling much the best going upto to the last and eventually a comprehensive winner; Will take all the beating here if in same form and fantastic chance of following up.

Adriana Des Mottes: Didn’t look great in France but won on Irish debut by 18 lengths and rallying late behind Abbyssial when second to him in Fairyhouse Grade 3 latest; Took advantage of weak mares Grade 1 latest but this much tougher; Not without her chance although interesting to see how she reacts to faster surface.

 

Streak: Third to Kitten Rock needs massive improvement.

VERDICT: Many of these can be expected to improve significantly from their Triumph Hurdle runs, with Royal Irish Hussar of most interest from a value perspective, but they will all do well to overturn form with TIGER ROLL, a comprehensive winner having gone much the best through the race, and he can follow up again here. The Willie Mullins pair of Abysissal and Adriana Des Mottes are still unexposed following their Triumph exits, although quicker ground is a question for both of them.