Grade One Irish Mirror Novice Hurdle Punchestown Guide 2023

Gordon Elliott sends eight-year-old Favori De Champdou to the Irish Mirror Novice Hurdle on the back of being pulled up in the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham festival last month, running virtually no race but he is better than that.

Had previously won three of his first four starts over hurdles, at Thurles (twice) and Limerick, which was a grade two novice over 2m 7f. He was an impressive four and a quarter lengths ahead of second place that day and also finished over three lengths ahead of fellow runner Harry Des Ongrais at Thurles previously.

Arrives here off a mark of 137, following disappointing Cheltenham display and he can run a better race here. Would probably be an unlikely winner, however.

Progressive runner who has been on the up in the last year or so, winning four races in a row during 2022 at Punchestown, Roscommon, Galway and Down Royal. Travelled well to finish fourth in a Cheltenham handicap before running at the Cheltenham festival for the first time last month, running on well to finish second in the Pertemps Network Handicap over 2m 7f, just over three lengths behind winner Good Time Jonny.

The seven-year-old now steps into graded company, over a trip that suits him and could make his presence felt here. Mark Walsh takes the ride for Gordon Elliott.

Henry De Bromhead sends one to the Irish Mirror Novice Hurdle with six-year-old Harry Des Ongrais. The gelding has had an indifferent start to life over hurdles, finishing fourth at Gowran Park on debut before winning Wexford maiden next time out at 1/1fav. Second of nine next time out (behind Favori De Champdou) before finishing third on graded debut at Limerick in December, with Favori De Champdou winning.

He arrives here on the back of finishing fifth in Fairyhouse novice earlier this month and this requires even more from the six-year-old. Unlikely to claim victory here on his third start over this trip.

Leading Irish trainer Willie Mullins sends two of his horses to the Irish Mirror Novice Hurdle, in the form of Embassy Gardens and Gaelic Warrior. The latter arrives in good form, having won three times over hurdles at Tramore, Clonmel and Leopardstown before heading to the Cheltenham festival last month.

12 months on from finish second to Brazil in the Boodles at the festival, the five-year-old finished runner-up again, six and a half lengths behind winner Impaire Et Passe in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle.

He brings leading form here after his festival run over 2m 5f, and now makes the step up to 2m 7f. Should be the one to beat if handling the slightly extra trip.

Oliver McKiernan sends six-year-old Kalanisi Star to this contest at the Punchestown festival with the gelding arriving on the back of finishing seventh of eight in the Grade One Naas Novice Hurdle over 2m 3f last time out. He finished a long way off the leaders that day and was behind a few here to finish last of five in Limerick Grade Two back in December.

This is a stiff task for him on the back of his last two runs and may have to settle for another run at the back in this type of company. One to dismiss.

Five-year-old Whatcouldhavebeen arrives at Punchestown after finishing five lengths behind Ashroe Diamond in the Grade One Honeysuckle Mares’ Novice Hurdle over 2m 4f at Fairyhouse earlier this month to finish second. That was a career-best performance from him, with his only win over hurdles coming in Fairyhouse maiden back in January.

Had been fourth on graded debut and also in listed company before his last run and now steps up to 2m 7f in grade one company for the second time. One to keep in mind but an unlikely winner.

Willie Mullins has two in this contest, in the form of Gaelic Warrior and Embassy Gardens. The latter has been inconsistent over hurdles since making his debut over obstacles following a bumper win at Leopardstown before finishing fourth again there prior to hurdling debut. Failed to claim victory on his first two hurdling starts before landing five-runner novice at Thurles in January over 2m 7f, 35 lengths clear of Kilbree Warrior.

Pulled up before the last in the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham festival last month, before travelling here for a crack at grade one glory. Should go better than his last run and should be open to more improvement, but this is tough against runners in better form.

Mouse Morris sends six-year-old Franciscan Rock to the Irish Mirror Novice Hurdle at Punchestown with the gelding in good form, finishing in the top three on all of his last six starts over hurdles. That run includes one win, at Thurles in 11-runner maiden over this trip but is yet to run in graded company and only made his handicap debut last time out.

Bit more to find at this type of level but is unexposed and one to not discount. This is harder, however.

Noel Meade sends the 142-rated hurdler Affordable Fury to this contest, with the five-year-old having finished second in the Grade One Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham last month; a length away from winner Stay Away Fay. That was his best run in this sort of company, having finished sixth at Naas and fell at Navan on his previous graded outings.

Boasts one win over hurdles, at Galway last October over 2m 6f and his second to Stay Away Fay came over 2m 7f, and if staying the trip again, he should go well. Gaelic Warrior will probably be a tough favourite to beat but he can give a good account of himself again.