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Another eight races can be enjoyed on day four of the Punchestown Festival which features a pair of Grade One hurdle events.
Another eight races can be enjoyed on day four of the Punchestown Festival which features a pair of Grade One hurdle events.
The first Grade 1 on the card is the Paddy Power Champion Hurdle over 2m at 5.25pm. Only six runners head to post but it looks a fascinating renewal. State Man is a top-class performer who looks hard to beat. The six-year-old won the 2022 Grade 3 County Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival before an easy seven length success in the Grade 1 Champion Novice Hurdle at this Festival last year. He returned after a break in winning form in November at this venue when landing the Morgiana Hurdle over this course and distance before a pair of Leopardstown victories (Grade 1 Matheson Hurdle over Christmas and the Grade 1 Irish Champion Hurdle). It was a good effort when second behind Constitution Hill last month at the Cheltenham Festival and he tonight, he could be the star of the show.
The race for second could be interesting with four good quality runners taking part to challenge. Vauban is a previous course and distance winner who has been finishing behind State Man this season and could be the main danger following a fourth in the Grade 1 Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham. Zanahiyr has also been behind the Nicky Henderson star but was one place ahead of Vauban when third at Cheltenham. He filled the same position at Aintree and could feature alongside Sharjah who was second in this event two years ago and recorded a second last start at Aintree. Pied Piper is not dismissed after a good handicap placing at Cheltenham but this is harder.
The second Grade 1 is at 6.00pm with the running of the Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle over 2m 3f. The five-runner contest could be taken by Impaire Et Passe. He looks a nice prospect in the making coming into this race with an unbeaten record including a Cheltenham Festival triumph by 6.5L in the Grade 1 Ballymore Novices Hurdle. This previous course winner rates a top chance. The field includes Champ Kiely who won the Grade 1 Lawlor's Of Nass Novice Hurdle before a good third behind Impaire Et Passe. High Definition was a smart flat horse who runs alongside Amir Kabir and Inothewayurthinkin.
The 6.35pm, Champion Hunters Chase over 3m looks a competitive contest with Vaucelet who was a good second in this race last year bidding to go one place better this time. Chris's Dream has smart form throughout his career and Billaway won this event last year. Its On The Line and Annamix both look interesting runners.
