May 01 / 18.00 Punchestown

18.00

Yielding

Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle (Grade 1)

  • Prize money: £146280.99
  • 2m 7f 110y
  • 11 runners
RTE2
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Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle (Grade 1)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly sunny

13/8 (Won)

  • Win: £2.25
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 111-22 CD BF

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 163

Form & Verdict
Leading stayer whose success in the 2024 Stayers' Hurdle (soft) was the middle leg of a Grade 1 hat-trick completed with an emphatic defeat of Asterion Forlonge in this race; no match for Lossiemouth over 2m4f in the Hattons's Grace on return; beaten by Bob Olinger at Cheltenham but showed enough to suggest he can repeat last year's victory.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

18:05 Punchestown

Teahupoo

11st 10lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Stayers' Hurdle winner at Cheltenham in 2024; second to Bob Olinger last year; experienced a rare off day when bidding to regain his crown last month, lost place at eighth and ran into traffic when rallying; despite that, strong chance of winning this race for the third time and adding to this season's Grade 1 wins at Fairyhouse and Leopardstown; blinkered for the first time.

7/4

6th

11

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Teahupoo

11st 10lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

He has a very strong record in this race with a close third in 2023 (soft), a win in 2024 (soft) and a solid second to Bob Olinger 12 months ago (good to soft); won three Grade 1s since, latest the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown (2m7f, good to yielding) where he beat Bob Olinger by 7l (albeit with that rival lacking a recent outing, unlike this fellow); has had a break prior to running in this race in each of the last two seasons; leading player.

11/4

12/1

  • Place: £4.10

Form: 2-652U C BF

Last run: 11 days

W: 11st 10lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 149

Form & Verdict
Now at the veteran stage and possibly not quite the force he was when a fine second to Teahupoo in this race last season; ran respectably in the Grade 2 Galmoy Hurdle in January and finished 5l second to Hewick at Thurles; unseated two out when bidding to repeat last year's win in a Grade 2 chase at Cork.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

1st May 2025

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

18:00 Punchestown

Asterion Forlonge

11st 10lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

towards rear, good headway on inner when not fluent 3 out, challenging after 2 out, outpaced approaching last, ran on and went second inside final 110yds, no match for winner

12/1

2nd

1

1st May 2025

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

18:00 Punchestown

Asterion Forlonge

11st 10lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

towards rear, good headway on inner when not fluent 3 out, challenging after 2 out, outpaced approaching last, ran on and went second inside final 110yds, no match for winner

12/1

9/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 153143 C

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 146

Form & Verdict
Won 3m Doncaster Grade 2 mares' win in January and ran respectably in the 2m4f Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham; confirmed her stamina with a pleasing display to take third behind Hiddenvalley Lake at Aintree; deserves another shot at the geldings.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

18:05 Punchestown

Jetara

11st 3lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Mrs John Harrington

Third in this event last year after taking the same place in Aintree Grade 1; has failed to match that form this season and has slumped 9lb in the ratings in 12 months; tailed off in Leopardstown Grade 1 won by Teahupoo; moderate fifth behind Wodhooh; a lot to prove now but could surprise.

25/1

5th

4

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 56y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Jetara

11st 5lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Mrs John Harrington

Smart mare who was an 11l fourth to Lossiemouth in this 12 months ago before finishing third in 3m Grade 1s at Aintree and Punchestown later in the spring; hasn't quite hit the same heights this season, including 9l third to Feet Of A Dancer and Dream On Baby in Doncaster Grade 2 latest; vulnerable even if back to her very best in a change of headgear (first-time blinkers replace cheekpieces).

25/1

3rd

1

24th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 1

13:30 Doncaster

Jetara

11st 8lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mrs John Harrington

Smart staying mare who won this race 12 months ago (good to soft) in game style and made the frame in three Grade 1s at the spring festivals afterwards; ran poorly against the geldings at Leopardstown four weeks ago but would have a big chance if returning to her best.

11/4

Form: 433233 D

Last run: 51 days

W: 11st 10lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 148

Form & Verdict
Veteran who recorded his biggest success in a 2m Grade 3 contest at Tipperary last July before finishing fourth in the Galway Hurdle; his last four races have been in 2m Grade 1 events, profiting from mishaps to take third place in the Champion Hurdle on latest; won over 3m at Cork in July 2023 but would be a shock winner here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

1st Nov 2025

Good

3m 0f 26y

Class 1

14:22 Wetherby

Winter Fog

11st 2lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: W P Mullins

11yo who appeared to be outstayed when fourth, beaten about 8l, in the Grade 1 Champion Stayers Hurdle at Punchestown (extended 2m7f, yielding) in May; however, that was still a good performance in today's context and he's fit from the Flat; possible player for top Irish stable.

8/1

4th

4

1st Nov 2025

Good

3m 0f 26y

Class 1

14:22 Wetherby

Winter Fog

11st 2lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: W P Mullins

11yo who appeared to be outstayed when fourth, beaten about 8l, in the Grade 1 Champion Stayers Hurdle at Punchestown (extended 2m7f, yielding) in May; however, that was still a good performance in today's context and he's fit from the Flat; possible player for top Irish stable.

8/1

14

(11)

11th Oct 2025

Good

2m 2f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Newmarket

Winter Fog

8st 5lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: W P Mullins

Aged 11 but he's a seriously unexposed, dark horse on Flat; smart hurdles form in Grade 1s in August 2024-May 2025; three Irish maiden races are all he's contested on Flat, when runner-up twice last year (2m/1m6f) and winning by a short head this August (2m) but he's not been hit hard with this opening Flat mark and having Willie Mullins as his trainer demands respect.

12/1

Form: -23254 C

Last run: 10 days

W: 11st 10lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 145

Form & Verdict
Has a poor strike-rate over hurdles (1-20) but placed on 14 occasions, and has often held his own in demanding company; fifth in the Coral Cup and fourth in a Grade 2 event over 2m4f at Fairyhouse ten days ago; goes beyond 2m5f for the first time now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

7

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Colonel Mustard

11st 7lb

J: John Shinnick

T: Mrs Lorna Fowler

Two races this autumn (one a 2m4f Grade 2 from The Yellow Clay) were his first wins for ages and he wasn't disgraced on latest outing; third in the 2022 County and fifth in this race last year in his only two handicaps at this meeting, but he's higher in the weights today and is now an 11yo, so can't be the percentage call.

33/1

4th

3

8th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 5f 180y

14:50 Navan

Colonel Mustard

11st 8lb

J: John Shinnick

T: Mrs Lorna Fowler

Win record has not reflected his ability for much of his career; only one success before this season's victories in a conditions race at Sligo and 2m4f Grade 2 at this venue; needs to bounce back now having been tailed off in the Long Walk at Ascot.

9/2

1st

1

24th Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 112y

14:35 Sligo

Colonel Mustard

11st 12lb

J: John Shinnick

T: Mrs Lorna Fowler

Just one win over hurdles but has been placed plenty of times including in graded races; was fifth in the Coral Cup before a fourth in a Fairyhouse Grade 2; was runner-up in this race last year after a similar absence so has to be respected as the top-rated in the field.

2/1

Form: -611UP D

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 10lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 159

Form & Verdict
Third behind Teahupoo in this race last year, and previously took same place in the Stayer's at Cheltenham; beat Bob Olinger in Graded races last November/December, prior to having no luck (hampered by faller and unseated rider mid-race) in the Stayers' Hurdle; flopped in Aintree race won by Hiddenvalley Lake, so prospects should be treated with caution.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Home By The Lee

11st 10lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

11yo who was running in the Stayers' Hurdle for the fifth time when making the breakthrough in that Cheltenham Grade 1 last month (3m, good); pulled up in this race on both visits to Aintree and 33-1 when winning at the Festival, but it was certainly no fluke judged on the pick of his career exploits and he's the one to beat if repeating that latest form.

7/1

1st

6

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Home By The Lee

11st 10lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Two-time Grade 1 winner, latterly in 2024, who landed the Grade 2 Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park in January, showing he retains considerable spark at the age of 11; he's run well in this race previously but has found Grade 1 races tough over the last 12 months; could have same problem today.

33/1

OUR TIP

Form: 98-15F D

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made it back-to-back wins in the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle (3m, good/good to soft) at Ascot in December; soundly beaten in the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham in January after making a bad mistake five out; fell at the sixth when 40-1 chance for the Stayers'; first time cheekpieces added to the usual tongue-tie.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

1st May 2025

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

18:00 Punchestown

Crambo

11st 10lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

prominent, soon went second, outpaced after 2 out

9/1

7th

3

1st May 2025

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

18:00 Punchestown

Crambo

11st 10lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

prominent, soon went second, outpaced after 2 out

9/1

Form: 361136 CD

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 147

Form & Verdict
Fifth in last year's Coral Cup here; won a C&D handicap in November before following up in a conditions hurdle at Clonmel; respectable third to Rocky's Diamond in Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran; not by any means disgraced as 80-1 chance when sixth in the Stayers, though well held by Teahupoo and Rocky's Diamond.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

18:05 Punchestown

Franciscan Rock

11st 10lb

J: Josh Williamson

T: M F Morris

Most recent of his three wins was in 2024; ran his best race for a long time when 50-1 runner-up in the BetMGM Cup at Cheltenham; remote eighth behind Teahupoo here 12 months ago; up against it.

33/1

2nd

19

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Franciscan Rock

10st 12lb

J: Josh Williamson

T: M F Morris

Fifth when 50-1 in this race in 2024 (1lb higher today) and 20l sixth when 80-1 for the Grade 1 Stayers' in 2025, close up turning for home on both occasions; not so good this season and this is a rare run without tongue-tie or other headgear; not entirely dismissed, though.

50/1

Form: 13-271 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 159

Form & Verdict
Grade 2 winner at Navan, and Grade 1-placed at Aintree in the first half of 2024; second to Crambo in the Long Walk at Ascot in December; struggled badly in Galmoy won by Rocky's Diamond; restored to form when beating Strong Leader in Aintree Grade 1 in which Home By The Lee flopped.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

7th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 7f 0y

18:38 Wexford

Hiddenvalley Lake

11st 12lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Henry De Bromhead

Classy hurdler rated (154) some way superior to these, career highlight when winning 3m Grade 1 Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree just over a year ago; only fifth when attempting repeat win there last month but looks a class apart from these rivals if anyway fluent in his jumping (wasn't that on sole previous chase start back in December 2023); interesting jockey booking.

8/11

5th

4

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Hiddenvalley Lake

11st 10lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Well beaten at Punchestown last May and at Navan in February on sole start since; however, this race has brought out the best in him in the last two seasons, as he finished third in 2024 (good to soft) and first last year (good); could bounce back and play another leading role.

6/1

Form: -51314 D

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 154

Form & Verdict
Highly progressive in three starts since 3m handicap win at Gowran last autumn; 66-1 third behind Home By The Lee and Bob Olinger in Grade 1 at Leopardstown (2m7f, yielding) in December and won the Grade 2 Galmoy at Gowran Park (3m, soft to heavy) in January; maintained upward curve with Stayers' Hurdle fourth; may get closer to Teahupoo now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

1

8th Jun 2026

Yielding To Soft

3m 1f 24y

18:48 Roscommon

Rockys Diamond

12st 3lb

J: Philip Donovan

T: Declan Queally

Classy hurdler made a bright start to his chasing career with a beginners' win at Galway (2m2f, gd-yld) followed by listed chase second at Wexford (2m7f, gd-yld); came up short in a grade 2 novice chase at Punchestown in November; poor back over hurdles the last twice and now makes handicap chase debut after 137 days off; market can guide.

11/1

6th

2

22nd Jan 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 110y

13:45 Gowran Park

Rockys Diamond

11st 8lb

J: Mr D L Queally

T: Declan Queally

Won this race last season before a creditable fourth in the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham; flopped at Punchestown; good start to chasing career with Galway win before second at Wexford; disappointed in a Grade 2 novice chase at Punchestown; made mistakes when sent back over hurdles at Leopardstown and faded to finish a remote sixth.

3/1

Form: 7/6152

Last run: 60 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
2-15 over hurdles, capable of smart form, such as when third behind Home By The Lee in a 3m Grade 1 at Leopardstown in December 2022; gained first win for almost three years at Limerick three starts back, up against it in this company.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

18:05 Punchestown

Meet And Greet

11st 10lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Oliver McKiernan

Has been chasing since pulled up in this race last year; 66-1 chance then; an unenviable task again; first-time cheekpieces.

66/1

2nd

3

12th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 88y

16:07 Down Royal

Meet And Greet

11st 12lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Oliver McKiernan

No wins since December 2024 and three chase efforts to date have not been super encouraging; beaten 23l in a Thurles handicap last time (2m5f, yielding); nonetheless, he's the second highest rated of the field here and possibilities if putting his best foot forward.

9/4

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €25.60
Straight Forecast €27.63
Tricast €110.29
Trifecta €184.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Teahupoo

The Irish Sun:

Rocky's Diamond

TOPSPEED:

Winter Fog

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Teahupoo

POSTDATA:

Teahupoo