1 ABACADABRAS – Hurdles – 9 starts, 4 wins, 4 places
Trainer: Denise Foster Jockey: Jack Kennedy
Seems to finish 2nd consistently to top class horses. 2nd to Envoi Allen by 11/2 lengths December 2019. Was also 2nd by a head to Shishkin last season at Cheltenham in the Supreme and more recently 10 lengths 2nd to Honeysuckle in the Irish Champion Hurdle. Could easily be in the mix late on but will it be more of the same in a top class field?
2 ASPIRE TOWER – Hurdles – 6 starts, 3 wins, 2 places
Trainer: Henry De Bromhead Jockey: Robbie Power
Consistent since taking to hurdles. 2nd by 23/4 lengths to Burning Victory in an eventful Triumph hurdle last season. Goshen fell at the last when well ahead. Also beat Abacadabras by 41/2 lengths at Down Royal in October. 2nd last time out to Sharjah by 2 lengths and has the tendency to run out front. Abacadabras also behind on this occasion by some way in 5th. He may find something has a quicker finishing gear in the finish on this occasion much like his meeting with Sharjah last December.
3 GOSHEN – Hurdles – 6 starts, 4 wins, 0 places
Trainer: Gary Moore Jockey: Jamie Moore
Interesting! Showed all the qualities of a champion in last year’s Triumph Hurdle before clipping the final flight and unseating Jamie Moore. If he replicates this performance with more composure in the finish he could beat anybody. Since, he had two efforts on the flat, one of which he finished last. Also fired a blank on his seasonal debut finishing 10th at Cheltenham last December. Silver Streak was a close 2nd here to winner Song For Someone. However, Goshen Looked back to his best romping home a 22 length winner to Song For Someone last month at Wincanton. Definite contender and probably Honeysuckle’s main threat.
4 JAMES DU BERLAIS – Hurdles – 13 starts, 4 wins, 5 places
Trainer – Willie Mullins Jockey: Daryl Jacob
French Hurdler Trained by Willie Mullins. Decent listed/graded race performer having won two grade three contests in France before finishing a close 2nd to Moises Has in a grade one contest last November. Moises Has is a horse he has beaten in the past but he has no form links with the horses from UK or Ireland and could be anything.
5 NOT SO SLEEPY – Hurdles – 9 starts, 4 wins, 0 places
Trainer: Hughie Morrison Jockey: Jonathan Burke
13/4 length winner at Ascot last time out ahead of well respected handicapper Buzz. It was probably his best result to date. Failed to finish the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle last November when refusing the first. The eventual winner was Epatante. Was pulled up in last year’s renewal and would cause a big shock with a win here.
6 SALDIER – Hurdles – 8 starts, 3 wins, 1 place
Trainer: Willie Mullins Jockey: Danny Mullins
Best result when winning the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown November 2019 ahead of Sharjah who was 8 lengths behind this horse in 4th. Made his return in December finishing a distant 6th behind Sharjah in the Matheson Hurdle and was last by a mile in the Irish Champion Hurdle in February. Has a lot of improving to do if he is to make an impression here.
7 SHARJAH – Hurdles – 19 starts, 7 wins, 4 places
Trainer: Willie Mullins Jockey: Paul Townend
A class horse who was the runner up last year by 3 lengths behind Epatante and 8 lengths clear of Silver Streak in 6th. He has won the December Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown three times. He has also finished 1st ahead of Aspire Tower, Abacadabras, Saldier in the past. He finished 3rd in the Irish Champion Hurdle behind Abacadabras and impressive winner Honeysuckle. If at his best could easily be in the mix and could clinch it if some of the market leaders aren’t on form.
8 SILVER STREAK – Hurdles – 25 starts, 8 wins, 10 places
Trainer: Evan Williams Jockey: Tom O’Brien
Has been excellent so far this season. 2nd to Song For Someone by a nose in December before beating the reigning champion hurdler Epatante at Kempton on Boxing Day with a lung busting front running effort. This horse has always had a quick finish and showed that he can set a rapid pace throughout that day. He should be in the mix this year to finish at least top three based on his recent form, looks to be in the shape of his life. The scalp of Epatante is a significant one but more importantly that race showed a professionalism to this horse. He capitalised on some rare mistakes by Epatante and it was a well deserved win.
9 EPATANTE – Hurdles – 8 starts, 6 wins, 1 place
Trainer: Nicky Henderson Jockey: Aiden Coleman
The reigning champion and a definite contender if she shows up. After finishing 2nd to Silver Streak by 6 lengths, it was discovered she had a back problem. This is what was used to explain a few rare mistakes by the champion that cost her the race on Boxing Day. The last time we saw her on song was at Newcastle in November when she won the Fighting Fifth. She breezed to victory past consistent 2 mile chaser Sceau Royal. If she is fully fit she will be in the top three and could easily retain her crown but the problem may be that she is very delicate and other horses will take advantage if she isn’t 100%.
10 HONEYSUCKLE – Hurdles – 10 starts, 10 wins, 0 places
Trainer: Henry De Bromhead Jockey: Rachel Blackmore
The unbeaten Irish champion hurdler has a sparkling record so far. Her performance at Leopardstown was probably her best and left good contenders Abacadabras and Sharjah in her wake. She finished 1/2 length ahead of Benie Des Dieux in the mares hurdle at last year’s festival and goes into this race favourite. The worry will be if she can’t gain an advantage on the final bend like she normally does. Goshen or a fully fit Epatante will be there to pick her off with a few furlongs to go. This is by far her toughest test to date but her hurdling has been made more efficient compared to last season. Providing there is nothing wrong she should easily be in the top three and could easily take the big race.
Hawkinsport 