Racecards
14:30 Leopardstown (IRE)
BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) (Class 1)
- 5 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Soft
- Surface: Turf
- €110,000 added
- Winner: €71,500
- 2nd: €20,900
- 3rd: €9,900
- 4th: €3,300
- Form 1/1111-1
- Age 8
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 173
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
tracked leaders in 3rd, smooth headway to challenge after 2 out, led early straight and soon asserted, stretched clear run-in, easily
- Form 114-323
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 157
- Trainer Mrs J Harrington
- Jockey R M Power
tracked leader in 2nd, 3rd entering straight, ridden to go 2nd before last but no chance with easy winner last, kept on same pace
- Form 2-22112
- Age 8
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 163
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Paul Townend
led, mistake 3 out, strongly pressed after next and headed early straight, dropped to 3rd and no extra from before last
- Form 58-1312
- Age 5
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 144
- Trainer Miss S J Harty
- Jockey M Darcy
always rear, ridden and no extra 2 out, weakened
- Form 112-411
- Age 5
- Weight 11-1
- Official Rating 157
- Trainer D K Weld
- Jockey D N Russell
held up in 4th, in touch approaching 2 out, no extra entering straight and soon weakened
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
HURRICANE FLY won this a year ago before going on to glory at Cheltenham and Punchestown and it will be a shock if he doesn't repeat the process. He had stablemate Thousand Stars around 5l behind for two of those victories and looks set for his 10th success at Grade 1 level. Oscars Well was around 5l behind Thousand Stars in the Grade 1 Morgiana at Punchestown and was again behind that one when third to Unaccompanied in the Grade 1 Istabraq here last month. While the winner continues her progress and has a hefty allowance all formlines suggest she has a bit to find with a fully-fit champion.
Formwatch
Hurricane Fly (IRE) 1-2fav (11-12) Settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, 4th 4 out, improved into close 3rd 2 out, travelled well to lead before last, pushed out and kept on strongly run-in, easily, won at Punchestown 2m hdl G1 (1) gd in May beating Thousand Stars (11-12) by 5l, 6 ran.
Oscars Well (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders on inner, 3rd halfway, headway to lead before 3 out, strongly pressed early straight and headed approaching last, no extra and dropped to 3rd run-in, 3rd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Unaccompanied (11-0) at Leopardstown 2m hdl G1 (1) sft in Dec.
Thousand Stars (FR) Evensfav (11-10) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, 2nd 2 out, ridden in 3rd approaching last where slight mistake, kept on under pressure run-in without reaching winner, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Unaccompanied (11-0) at Leopardstown 2m hdl G1 (1) sft in Dec.
Kalann (IRE) 5-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, challenged on outer from 3 out, narrow advantage last, kept on under pressure run-in, no extra and headed closing stages, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind The Real Article (11-8) at Down Royal 2m hdl G2 (1) sft in Nov.
Unaccompanied (IRE) 10-3 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway to go 3rd 2 out, challenged early straight and led before last, driven out and kept on well run-in, won at Leopardstown 2m hdl G1 (1) sft in Dec beating Thousand Stars (11-10) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.