THERE will be a new name on the Unibet Morgiana Hurdle roll of honour next Saturday. Last year’s winner Brighterdaysahead is being campaigned over fences this season while two-time winner State Man has been ruled out for the season with an injury.
State Man’s trainer Willie Mullins has, of course, plenty of top-class substitutes waiting in the wings for a Grade 1 race he has won in eight of the past 10 years.
According to the latest betting, the Mullins team is now headed by Anzadam, the unbeaten five-year-old who races in the State Man colours of Joe and Marie Donnelly.
The son of Authorized has only raced twice for Mullins, winning both Grade 3 events with ease before a minor injury last January ruled him out of the spring festivals.
Despite his lack of any Grade 1 experience, he is the even-money favourite for next Saturday’s big race.
Mullins also has the second favourite, Irancy, who was an 18/1 shot when he won a Grade 1 novice hurdle at the Punchestown Festival last season. Also a Grade 2 winner at the Fairyhouse Easter Festival, he is the sole J.P. McManus-owned entry in the Morgiana Hurdle, a race which is due to take place 10 minutes after the McManus-owned The New Lion takes on Constitution Hill at Newcastle.
Gordon Elliott is the only trainer to have interrupted the Mullins winning sequence in this race over the past two years and his two Morgiana entries are Ndaawi and Casheldale Lad. Both of these five-year-olds ran in the Galway Hurdle, finishing first and third respectively. Casheldale Lad went on to win valuable prizes at Listowel and Down Royal, while Ndaawi has since run in two flat handicaps only.
Salvator Mundi and Kargese, both Grade 1-winning novices last season, add further strength to the Mullins team in a race which is likely to produce a genuine Champion Hurdle prospect.
Unibet Morgiana Hurdle betting: 1/1 Anzadam, 11/4 Irancy, 6 Casheldale Lad, Ndaawi, Salvator Mundi, 10 Kargese, Lossiemouth, 12 Glen Kiln, 20 bar.
FASTORSLOW is firmly on course to try to regain the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase next Sunday.
Martin Brassil’s high-class staying chaser has not run since surrendering the crown he wore in 2023 to Willie Mullins’ Fact To File when fourth in the John Durkan last season, but the November 23rd feature is seen as the ideal place for him to start his season.
“He’s been good, he had a nice long break and underwent a bit of pre-training before he came back to me and we’ve been very happy with him,” Brassil reported.
“We’re looking forward to getting him out for his first run, Punchestown is a happy hunting ground for him anyway and hopefully he will have a good clear round and get a bit of race-fitness into him.”
Willie Mullins has indicated that he is struggling to get Galopin Des Champs ready in time for the John Durkan, following a minor setback. However, the champion trainer still has a tight hold on the race as his 12 entries include last year’s winner Fact To File, who is currently the 5/4 favourite. So impressive in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham last season, Fact To File switched back to two miles for the Punchestown Festival and was well beaten behind Marine Nationale, a performance which can easily be forgiven.
Gaelic Warrior is another leading hope from the Mullins yard. He proved his stamina last season, winning a Grade 1 at Aintree over an extended three miles, before landing another comfortable success in a Grade 2 chase at Sandown on the final day of the season.
From three lifetime starts at Punchestown, Gaelic Warrior has won twice and finished second to Il Etait Temps.
The Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin still holds a John Durkan engagement but the two and a half mile trip could be on the short side for him. Not since his novice hurdle career has Gavin Cromwell’s charge won races in the winter months.
Henry de Bromhead just has one entry, Heart Wood, winner of a Grade 3 race over three miles at Punchestown on October 15th.
John Durkan Punchestown Chase betting: 5/4 Fact To File, 4 Galopin Des Champs, 6 Fastorslow, Gaelic Warrior, 8 Heart Wood, Inothewayurthinkin, 10 Lecky Watson, Spillane’s Tower, 14 Energumene, 16 bar.
THE best value deal on Punchestown tickets is the €25 offer for a weekend ticket, if bought online before 10pm tomorrow, Sunday, November 16th.
A general admission ticket for either day can be bought now for just €15 online. This represents a saving of €5 compared to the raceday price, although seniors and students can still avail of the €15 offer on the day. The €15 online offer ends at 10pm on the day before racing.
You’ll also find some very attractive hospitality options on the Punchestown website, ranging from €70 to €120 per person.
Due to the demand, additional racecourse restaurants have been opened for next weekend. Options include The Watch House or Corinthian Restaurants, which offer delicious seasonal menus, reserved table for the day, and probably some of the best views in Irish sport.
Suites are available for larger groups or family gatherings, and children’s menus are also available.
Web: punchestown.com
THERE will be live music after racing on Saturday and a vintage car display on Sunday morning.
The Santa Train will operate around the enclosures on both days and watch out too for the Santa Truck in aid of Laura Lynn, which will be in the main enclosure on Sunday from 1.30pm to 4pm. This special fundraiser allows children to meet Santa, Mrs Claus, the elves and lots more. Inside the truck, you can see Santa’s grotto and sleigh.
In return for this experience, Santa Truck ask you to donate on the day to their iDonate page.
The Playroom is open both days for free children’s games and activities including face painting.
TRADE stands and charities at Punchestown next weekend will include Sophie Hunter Millinery, Jason O’Ceannobhain Art, Hollywood Flowers and Festive Gifts, Agent 74 - Outdoor and Racing, Irish Injured Jockeys - Christmas cards and Calendars, Irish Guide Dogs (win a car), The Santa Truck for Laura Lynn, Cara Girls Rescue and Scoil Mhuire Ballymore Eustace.
FAMILIES have the chance to win a trip to Lapland by going racing next weekend.
To be eligible for the draw, you simply have to buy a family ticket (just €25), which covers admission for two adults with children, and this includes free kids’ fun in The Playroom.
Just make sure you enter the racecourse via the Lapland entrance to receive your Golden Ticket.
Post your completed ticket at the Lapland Letterbox beside the racecard hut. The winner will be announced after the feature race on Sunday.
A FREE shuttle bus service will operate between Poplar Square in Naas and the racecourse on both days. The first of two services begins at 10am/10.15am and the next leaves at 10.45am/11am. Return buses will start from 3pm.
Dublin racegoers can avail of the €30 return service from Wellington Quay via the marathongroup.ie website.