Herald Champion Novice Hurdle – Tips and Preview – 4.20 Punchestown

A cracking race to kick off the grade one action at this years Punchestown Festival. We have a small, but select field set to line up, including the Supreme Novice Hurdle, first and third, as well as the 2nd placed finisher, from the Neptune at Cheltenham. If the preview is not for you, feel free to skip to my tips for the 4.20 Punchestown, the Herald Champion Novices Hurdle.

Champagne Fever has often looked like he might be better over further than 2 miles, and despite winning the Supreme Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham last time, that might still be the case. He got a peach of a ride that day, going a good even tempo all the way. Indeed had Ruby gone a stride slower, you’d imagine he’d have got beaten by the speedier, My Tent Or Yours. The form is very strong, the 2nd having previously bolted up in a top handicap, and subsequently easily won at Aintree. Jezki who re-opposes again tomorrow was 2 3/4l behind in 3rd. It should be noted that Ruby nicked a few lengths at the start at Cheltenham, but with Jezki a confirmed hold up horse, the same could happen tomorrow.

The official going at Cheltenham that day was soft, but the times suggested it was more like good to soft, and as such it’s likely to be a good bit softer tomorrow. Champagne Fever will have no problem with the softer conditions, and another thing in his favour is the fact that he backed up well at Punchestown last year, winning the Champion Bumper, having won the equivalent event at Cheltenham, on his previous start. He does need a good pace at 2 miles, but assuming Ruby again sets a decent, even gallop, then this race should be a stiffer test, due to the much softer terrain.

Jezki ran a cracker at Cheltenham, he was still on the bridle after jumping the second last, and came there with a challenge approaching the last, he fluffed that hurdle however, which cost him whatever chance he had. Although he kept going well enough to the line, the first two were going away from him again close home. If the ground had come up good here, I’d make him favourite to turn the tables on Champagne Fever. He’d prefer the ground for a start, and more emphasis on speed would be in his favour too. As things stand though, I find it hard to see him turning the tables, unless Ruby messes it up by going too slow. Jezki has a victory over Champagne Fever, he beat him in Fairyhouse back in December. He had more hurdling experience at the time though, having already won a grade 3, the slowish pace also suited.

Rule the World is the other main contender for this. He arrives here after a career best 2nd to The New One at Cheltenham. That race was over an extra 5 fur, than this one, although considering the slow gallop they went till past half way, it wasn’t a true test at the trip. Having shown a lot of speed previously, the slow pace suited the winner, more than anything else, but that said, he won the race quite easily by 4l, generally the slower pace just serves to compact winning margins, and as such the winners are usually value for extra. The New One went on to run very well in the Aintree Hurdle, which doesn’t do the form any harm, without overly franking it either. He really only did around what you’d expect him to have done, and thus you shouldn’t rank Rule the World’s run behind him, any higher than you already did. That’s still good form though, and a mistake at the 2nd last did Rule the World no favours. Whether this drop to 2 miles proves to be his optimum is doubtful though.

Rule the World did beat Champagne Fever prior to Cheltenham, but Champagne Fever was found to be sick after the race, and he also went far to fast that day, leaving Rule the World to pick up the pieces. He could do with a similar scenario unfolding if he’s to win this, although Ruby doesn’t tend to make the same mistakes twice.

Ted Veale won the County hurdle at Cheltenham, travelling through the race supremely well, before doing just enough to win. The bare form won’t be good enough to win this, and while the way he travelled suggests there may be more to come, he didn’t find an awful lot for pressure. He also gives the impression the big field suited his style perfectly, and a small field conditions race, may not be his optimum conditions.

Art of Logistics has a good bit to find on his form thus far, but he still has scope to improve. This might be just a little to hot for him, but he could run well, without winning. He was pulled out at Aintree, presumably because the good ground would have been against him, and he’ll love the soft ground here. Mallowney also has a good bit to find, but probably has less potential to do so.

I think Champagne Fever is much the likeliest winner here, and as such the 13/8 he is with Betfred looks a good price.

Last updated by Declan Meagher at September 11, 2018.