Racecards
15:15 Leopardstown (IRE)
Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) (Class 1)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Soft to Heavy
- Surface: Turf
- €150,000 added
- Winner: €85,500
- 2nd: €30,000
- 3rd: €15,000
- 4th: €7,500
- Form 212-215
- Age 7
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 158
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey Jack Kennedy
ran 4th, went 2nd after 2 out, soon pushed along and no impression on winner in straight, ridden and kept on one pace run-in
- Form 235-233
- Age 10
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 157
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey B J Cooper
soon led, joined 4 out and headed after next, no impression on winner 2 out, pushed along and dropped towards rear entering straight, weakened
- Form 511-124
- Age 6
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 157
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Mark Walsh
towards rear, pushed along after 2 out, 4th and no impression early straight, mistake last, no extra and kept on one pace
- Form 531F/1-6
- Age 7
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 159
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Paul Townend
disputed lead early, tracked leader in 2nd, lost place after 4 out, pushed along and dropped towards rear after 2 out, weakened
- Form B/4162-1
- Age 8
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 164
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Mr P W Mullins
held up in rear, some headway 2 out, pushed along and no impression entering straight, moderate 3rd approaching last, no extra, kept on one pace
- Form 1/1111-1
- Age 7
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 159
- Trainer H De Bromhead
- Jockey Rachael Blackmore
tracked leaders, headway to dispute lead 4 out and led after next, asserted and 4 lengths clear 2 out, pushed along in straight and not fluent last, stayed on well run-in, easily
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
Willie Mullins has won seven of the last eight and Sharjah, runner-up in last year's Champion Hurdle, gained a comfortable victory in the Grade 1 Matheson here in December where he had Petite Mouchoir five lengths back in third with Saint Roi close behind but both Abacadabras and Saldier trailing. The former finished a close third in this year when trained by Henry De Bromhead, whose HONEYSUCKLE was winning her seventh successive race under Rules 12 months ago. She has since won the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham and the Hatton's Grace at Fairyhouse, both over 2m4f, and overcame several mistakes a year ago. Better will be needed this time around though she keeps finding a way to win and her allowance is a massive plus again.
Formwatch
Abacadabras (FR) 3-1 (11-12) Chased leader, 5th at 4th, improved to 4th before 2 out, dropped to 5th and no impression on leaders before last where eased, 5th of 7, 23 3/4l behind Sharjah (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Petit Mouchoir (FR) 28-1 (11-12) Reared slightly at flagfall, tracked leader, slight mistake at 1st, not fluent in 3rd at 4th, lost place before 2 out, pushed along to 4th before last, ridden and kept on to 3rd close home, 3rd of 7, 5l behind Sharjah (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Saint Roi (FR) 13-8fav (11-12) Chased leader, 4th at 4th, slight mistake 3 out, progress to 3rd before 2 out, ridden in 2nd before last, weakened in 3rd run-in and dropped to 4th close home, 4th of 7, 5 3/4l behind Sharjah (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Saldier (FR) 10-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, 2nd at 4th, closed after 3 out, challenged leader 2 out, lost place and weakened before last where eased, 6th of 7, 31 3/4l behind Sharjah (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Sharjah (FR) 11-2 (11-12) Held up, 6th at 4th, travelled well and closed in 3rd before last where not fluent, soon 2nd run-in, ridden to lead final 100 yards, ran on well, won at Leopardstown 2m (1) sft in Dec beating Aspire Tower (11-9) by 2l, 7 ran.
Honeysuckle 4-11fav (11-5) Prominent in 2nd, a little keen, on terms from 3 out, led before straight, pushed along from 2 out, stayed on well under pressure run-in to hold on at the finish, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) sft in Nov beating Ronald Pump (11-12) by 1/2l, 6 ran.