Grade One Mares Champion Hurdle Punchestown Guide 2023

Nicky Henderson has one in the Mares Champion Hurdle at Punchestown on Saturday, with nine-year-old Epatante looking to bounce back from a couple of poor runs by her standards on her last two outings. She was fourth in the Aintree Hurdle earlier this month, behind Zanahiyr, Sharjah and Constitution Hill and a disappointing eighth of nine in the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last month when a big run was expected.

The mare has won multiple graded races and finished third in this last year, behind Stormy Ireland and Marie’s Rock and cannot be dismissed here. She is likely to go better than her last two runs which could see her in the hunt for victory in what is a very strong renewal of this contest.

The market outsider for the Punchestown Mares Champion Hurdle 2023 is Anna Bunina, the 139-rated hurdler who comes here after finishing third in Ayr Scottish Champion Hurdle last Saturday, behind Colonel Mustard and Rubaud. The seven-year-old also finished ninth in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham last month and now enters this sort of company for the first time.

Lots to find here on her first grade one outing and probably one to dismiss here against some of the very best in this division.

Willie Mullins has three in this contest with Brandy Love, Shewearsitwell and Echoes In Rain. The latter comes here on the back of finishing fourth in the Mares’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham festival last month, running a decent race but unable to challenge the leaders Love Envoi and Honeysuckle.

That was after she beat five rivals to the Grade Three Limestone Lad Hurdle at Naas in January, following a fall in the Hatton’s Grace at Fairyhouse in December. Her last win in this sort of company came back in 2021, but the seven-year-old should be considered here being a course winner and from a top yard.

Gordon Elliott sends one to the Mares Champion Hurdle at Punchestown with his eight-year-old Queens Brook, who finished third in the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last month, behind Love Envoi and Honeysuckle. She has won twice since the start of 2022, winning listed event at Punchestown and the Grade Three Quevega Mares Hurdle here in February, ahead of fellow runners Anna Bunina and Brandy Love.

She also finished second in last year’s Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham (just under two lengths to Marie’s Rock) and comes here in good form, finishing in the top three on all occasions over hurdles.

Must be respected with the form she has shown since debuting over hurdles. Love Envoi looks a good favourite but there is no reason why she couldn’t mount a challenge for victory.

One of three for leading Irish trainer Willie Mullins, Brandy Love arrives at Punchestown having finished fifth in the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last month, the only time she has finished outside the top three in her career. Has been behind a few of these rivals a few times, finishing third in the Quevega Mares Hurdle here in February behind Anna Bunina and Queens Brook but she did beat Love Envoi at Fairyhouse last April to claim grade one success.

Would be wrong to dismiss her, when she is a course winner and with a top yard, but others make more appeal on form. Has a chance, however.

Willie Mullins has three in this contest and Shewearsitwell is the least fancied of his trio in the Mares Champion Hurdle at Punchestown this year. The eight-year-old had gone into the Cheltenham festival with back-to-back victories under her belt, winning a handicap here in November before claiming grade three success at Leopardstown in December, beating Queens Brook by over four lengths.

She then went off at 28/1 in the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last month, finishing last of nine and she has generally struggled in this sort of company throughout her career. She finished fifth in this last year and would need to improve a lot to have any chance here, despite being with a top yard. Would be an unlikely winner.

Harry Fry sends seven-year-old Love Envoi to the Punchestown Mares Champion Hurdle after a terrific run in the in the Grade One Mares’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham festival last month, running a cracker but finding the Queen of Racing Honeysuckle slightly too good to finish just over a length behind her.

The mare has been in brilliant form for Fry, winning five of her seven starts since the start of 2022, including the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last year, Listed Mares’ Hurdle at Sandown, Grade Two Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Sandown again as well as finishing second to a fresh Brandy Love in Grade One Mares Novice Hurdle Final at Fairyhouse.

The seven-year-old comes here bang in form and in better form than the other runners. The one to beat for sure. Danny Mullins takes the ride.