Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle

LADBROKES CHAMPION STAYERS’ HURDLE
(Thursday, May 1st – 20 entries)

Robcour duo, Bob Olinger and Teahupoo, are on target to renew their rivalry in the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers’ Hurdle.

It was the former that prevailed as Teahupoo attempted to go back-to-back at Cheltenham last month, delivered with brilliant composure by Rachael Blackmore to score for trainer, Henry de Bromhead.

Once more, it is the gelding trained by Gordon Elliott trying to go for two-in-a-row and punters will be in for a treat if the pair are given the chance to duel at Punchestown.

Hiddenvalley Lake is another Robcour-owned horse conditioned at Knockeen Stables by de Bromhead and after scoring emphatically at Aintree on Saturday, is also among the 20 entries.

Home By The Lee never got racing in Liverpool, after being brought down lucklessly at Cheltenham, but the Joseph O’Brien-trained galloper is a dual Grade 1 winner, who has taken Bob Olinger’s scalp twice this season alone and he would be a major contender.

English-based Tipperary native, Fergal O’Brien could make the visit with Crambo, who fell in the Cheltenham Stayers’ Hurdle but like Home By The Lee, is a two-time Grade 1 winner. Nicky Henderson has entered Lucky Place.

Willie Mullins has six in the mix, with Coral Cup winner Jimmy Du Seuil among the more interesting ones. Declan Queally’s talented five-year-old Rocky’s Diamond, who was fourth in Cheltenham, could also play a part.

Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle

(Grade 1) €300,000 (2m 7f 110y – 4yo+)

1 Asterion Forlonge (FR) (WPMullins)

2 Bob Olinger (HdeBromhead)

3 Colonel Mustard (FR) (MrsLFowler)

4 Crambo (GB) (FO’Brien)

5 Eagle Fang (WDurkan)

6 Franciscan Rock (MFMorris)

7 Hiddenvalley Lake (HdeBromhead)

8 Home By The Lee (JPO’Brien)

9 Jade De Grugy (FR) (WPMullins)

10 Jetara (MrsJHarrington)

11 Jimmy Du Seuil (FR) (WPMullins)

12 July Flower (FR) (HdeBromhead)

13 Kitzbuhel (FR) (WPMullins)

14 Lucky Place (FR) (NHenderson)

15 Meet And Greet (OMcKiernan)

16 Rocky’s Diamond (DQueally)

17 Sandor Clegane (PNolan)

18 Spread Boss Ted (GB) (WPMullins)

19 Teahupoo (FR) (GElliott)

20 Winter Fog (WPMullins)

THURSDAY, MAY 1ST – ADDITIONAL GRADE 1 RACE

There are 10 in the running in the BARBERSTOWN CASTLE NOVICE CHASE.

Majborough fluffed his lines at Cheltenham with some terrible jumping errors on the way to be third in the Arkle Chase and may be given a shot at bouncing back, while another Willie Mullins-trained horse, Impaire Et Passe was very good when scoring in the Manifesto Chase at Aintree.

Jazzy Matty raised the roof at Cheltenham when giving young trainer Cian Collins a debut victory at the Cotswolds carnival and could well make his presence felt, while the giant Jeannot Lapin would certainly take the eye from the Gearóid O’Loughlin yard, having won his beginners’ chase at Leopardstown at 100/1.

Only By Night was steered towards the Arkle by Gavin Cromwell, when many thought she might head for the Mares’ Chase but the Danestown handler was justified in his decision when the seven-year-old was just reeled in by Jango Baie in the shadow of the post.

“I would love to have run her at Aintree,” Cromwell admits. “I tried everything to convince myself but the ground was just too quick for her. She’s in great form. She worked (Tuesday) morning and I’m very happy with her.

“She gave her all in the Arkle. She ran a cracker. It was a pity, she was just mugged, had her pocket picked.

“At the start of the season we thought two miles would be too sharp for her and even after her first run in Cork, I thought she was flat to the boards early. But she jumps so well and she’s probably after getting faster. That two-mile division, you have to be able to travel for sure, but jumping is huge and you have to be able to stay as well.

“All being well, she will go to Punchestown.”

Barberstown Castle Novice Chase (Grade 1) €125,000 (2m 75y – 5yo+)

1 Asian Master (WPMullins)

2 Brookie (AHoneyball)

3 Impaire Et Passe (FR) (WPMullins)

4 Jazzy Matty (FR) (CCollins)

5 Jeannot Lapin (FR) (GO’Loughlin)

6 Jesse Evans (NMeade)

7 Majborough (FR) (WPMullins)

8 Only By Night (GCromwell)

9 Rubaud (FR) (PNicholls)

10 Tullyhill (FR) (WPMullins)