Punchestown Champion Hurdle Tips: A 12/1 tip who can give State Man something to think about
Two mile hurdlers this year have known their fate before starting when heading for the biggest prizes... They haven't stood a chance against the mighty Constitution Hill! After being brushed aside by Nicky Henderson's superstar at Cheltenham, leading Irish two miler State Man is back in calmer waters in the feature race on Day 4 at the Punchestown Festival. He is joined by fellow vanquished stablemate Vauban, the old legend that is Sharjah and three more horses. We've previewed the Grade One race and are backing one to at the very least chase State Man all the way to the line...
In a fascinating turn of events, the two leading fancies for this race will almost certainly have their destiny next year dictated solely by the running plans of the horse that laughed at them at Prestbury Park. Quite conceivably, then, this could be the last time we see both Vauban and State Manover this trip or these obstacles. The latter named has been a brilliant horse for connections ever since cruising to County Hurdle victory last year and he is undoubtedly the Irish star in this division. Indeed, there are many who believe he would've beaten a peak form Honeysuckle and was just unlucky to bump into a freak in his Champion Hurdle.
Enough of the past though and onto the present. There is no reason State Man will not complete the Irish and Punchestown Champion Hurdle double here, but his price means he is no betting proposition and instead we will look elsewhere for an each-way play. Leading the opposition he has Vauban, a horse he has finished in front of on numerous occasions this season and certainly has the measure of, and Sharjah. His veteran stablemate Sharjah looks good value in match bets against Vauban, who is a shorter price at the time of writing, judging by his smashing runs in the County Hurdle (4th under top weight) and then coming home best of the rest behind a sauntering Constitution Hill at Aintree.
Vauban is of course experiencing his first season outside of juvenile company and good horses often find that tough. I've no doubt he will kick on next year, but a long season may catch up with him here and I could see him blowing out. State Man and Sharjah, on the other hand, are tougher more experienced campaigners and I would imagine they'll finish ahead of their stablemate.
Outside of the Mullins triumvirate Gordon Elliott sends two of his charges on the hunt for a surprise Grade One success in Zanahiyr and PIED PIPER. Firstly, Zanahiyr ran with credit but was no match for Constitution Hill or State Man at Cheltenham and there is absolutely nothing in the form book to see why he could reverse form with those ahead of him at the Festival. He makes little appeal, but a case can be built for his stablemate.
Pied Piper finished well behind State Man, and Vauban for that matter, in the Irish Champion Hurdle but perhaps wasn't given a hard time there as he was much improved next time out when going down by just a head in the aforementioned County Hurdle. Davy Russell abruptly stood himself down after his ride aboard Pied Piper and has since confirmed he was feeling an injury and couldn't ride out the finish with his usual gusto.
Judging by the tiny losing margin it would be folly to say Pied Piper wouldn't have won with a fit jockey in the saddle and although Sharjah did run well off 12 stone, Pied Piper was also carrying a big weight (11 stone 13) so his performance is not one to be sniffed at. He is younger than Sharjah and still improving, so to my eye looks a cracking bet to follow State Man home. Punters can of course play this anyway they like, be that in forecasts or without markets, but at 12/1 each-way that will do for us as the tip. Colonel Mustard completes the line up, but looks well out of his depth.
