Grade One Irish Champion Hurdle Guide 2023

The Queen of National Hunt Racing had an incredible unbeaten record which was stopped last time out in the Grade 1 Hatton's Grace Hurdle as she was beaten by Klassical Dream and favourite for this year's Stayers' Hurdle Teahupoo.

Dual Champion Hurdle winner, and three-time winner of this event so she is going for a fourth consecutive victory here. She comfortably accounted for Zanahiyr 12 months ago before retaining Cheltenham title and will be sharper now, but she will not have it all so easy due to State Man coming onto the scene.

It is up for debate whether she actually ran a decent race last time back in third, but that will be proven this weekend if she shows she is good enough to beat the younger horses such as the favourite and Vauban.

Unusual to see her at a backable price in the market so she cannot be ruled out.

If she goes and wins it would be absolutely brilliant for racing and would shake up the Champion Hurdle market for the festival in March.

Takarengo rounds up the six-runner field but will go off as the triple-digit priced outsider.

Will be competing off a mark of 116 in a handicap hurdle on Saturday and it remains a doubt whether he will even run in this the day after.

Completely out of his depth here and will be one to note in weaker races moving forwards.

Trainer Gordon Elliot has two in here and the pair seem to be very similar prices in the market. Zanahiyr is a former smart juvenile hurdler who held his own in the senior ranks last season when second to Honyesuckle in this race.

He has never gotten close to beating her and will probably struggle again here along with his stablemate Pied Piper. Was best of the boys when third behind Honeysuckle and Epatante in the Champion Hurdle.

Picked up an injury at Navan on seasonal reappearance after 220 days off the track and last time out was seen over 3 miles for the very first time in his career which did not go to plan.

Back down to 2 miles here which should see him in a better light, but looks like a very tough ask for him to be in with a shout in this.

Gordon Elliot's second runner in this year's renewal of the Grade One Irish Champion Hurdle.

Pied Piper got the better of Vauban in a maiden at Punchestown last season, but the Willie Mullins horse showed rapid signs of improvement as he reversed the form with him later on down the line.

They clash yet again here, but the same result as last looks more likely. He was not seriously challenged in winning his first two races of the season at Cheltenham and Down Royal so much more will be needed here as he finds himself at a big price.

Ran no race at all last time out in the Matheson Hurdle and may find a few too good as he is coming up against some very classy horses again here.

State Man should take all the beating here, but has to give weight away to the Queen Honeysuckle which could raise a slight concern.

He has flourished so far in his career and keeps on improving for Willie Mullins and his connections. He was last season's County Hurdle winner and quickly adjusted to life in Grade 1 company.

Won very easily at the Punchestown Festival and has continued on an upward curve with impressive wins in the Morgiana Hurdle and the Matheson Hurdle.

Beat stablemate Vauban convincingly last time out and may be too sharp for the mare Honeysuckle. Fascinating race ahead and should turn out as good as it looks on paper.

Worthy favourite and can claim more Grade 1 success here.

Vauban made his long-awaited seasonal reappearance 38 days ago and he is a horse I rate very highly, especially after his victory at the festival in the Triumph Hurdle last year.

He was a talented horse on the flat in France and was the undisputed champion in last season's juvenile scene, winning three Grade 1 races.

He ran a good race last time out in the Matheson Hurdle over course and distance when splitting stablemates State Man and the experienced Sharjah.

Further progress will probably be expected, but it will be hard to get his head past the favourite and the three-time reigning champion of this race Honeysuckle will not be easy to dethrone.

Not ruled out and has all the potential to run a big race.