Forecast odds: 7-1
Should star mare Honeysuckle be off her A-game the high-class Sharjah could pick up the pieces at what is a slightly insulting price given his ability.
Sharjah: top-class performer should outrun his odds once again
Patrick McCann
The eight-year-old is a three-time Matheson Hurdle winner, Galway Hurdle hero and has finished second in the Champion Hurdle for the past two years, but has strong course-and-distance form too having beaten Faugheen comprehensively in the 2018 Morgiana Hurdle.
Despite finishing ahead of Epatante and Goshen at Cheltenham last month, they are preferred toSharjah inthe betting despite having more questions to answer. Should the race fall apart, the fast-finisher could use his trademark turn of foot to give Willie Mullins a record-extending ninth win.
UPDATED 12:44PM, APR 28 2021
Mark Walsh will ride Epatante for the first time when she bids to exact revenge on Honeysuckle in the Paddy Power Champion Hurdle at Punchestown on Friday.
Successful under Barry Geraghty in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham last year, the Nicky Henderson-trained Epatante needed a new partner after the rider s retirement so connections turned to Aidan Coleman.
However, the new duo were no match for Honeysuckle as she sauntered to victory in the Champion Hurdle last month, beating the third-placed Epatante by nine and a half lengths.
Walsh, a senior figure in the Irish jumps weighing room, is among the inner circle of Epatante s owner JP McManus and has had more rides in Ireland for him than anyone else.
1 of 1 7:00AM, APR 29 2021
Five of the eight races on day three of the Punchestown festival on Thursday are live on RTE2 and they include the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle (5.25).
Punchestown festival Thursday: day three TV tips
Our Spotlight experts select their best bets for day three of the Punchestown festival
Pigsback.com Handicap Chase, 2m
Jungle Junction was beaten 33 lengths on his chasing debut and then fell, but he might have got some confidence from a third at Gowran Park in January, which has been followed by two victories over fences. A heavy ground winner over hurdles, he might appreciate more rain falling, but looks to have been brought along beautifully by Jessica Harrington.
Back Abacadabras each-way to work his magic in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle
Johnny Ward previews Friday’s feature race at the Punchestown Festival. By William Hill Thursday 29 Apr 2021, 11:53 AM Apr 29th 2021, 11:53 AM 2,331 Views 2 Comments
AFTER ITS POSTPONEMENT 12 months ago, the Punchestown Festival has made a welcome return to the racing calendar this week.
Each day, racing journalist Johnny Ward has been bringing you a preview of the feature race and his best tip along with William Hill’s latest prices.
Here are his thoughts on Friday’s main event… Jack Kennedy and Abacadabras winning the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown in November.
Punchestown Saturday preview: Donn McClean tips
By Donn McClean
Punchestown Friday best bets:
5.05 Drop The Anchor
The Willie Mullins thread that usually runs through Punchestown week is running as deeply as ever this year so far, and it could go even deeper today, on the final day of the week, the final day of the Irish National Hunt season.
In Concertista, Stormy Ireland and Burning Victory, the champion trainer fields the first three favourites for the Coolmore Kew Gardens Irish EBF Mares Champion Hurdle, with My Sister Sarah in there as back-up, while in the other Grade 1 race on the day, the Ballymore Champion Four-Year-Old Hurdle, Haut En Couleurs is vying for favouritism with Triumph Hurdle hero Quilixios. The record of 18 that was posted at the 2018 Festival is in danger.