THE old saying in horse racing is that “they can’t all be good” when the principals finish in a heap in a major race.

It was in evidence again with regards to the Grade 1 Unibet Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown on Sunday after Abacadabras had held off Saint Roi by a neck, with Jason The Militant just a short-head behind, and perhaps with justification.

They can’t all be good, but they can all be fairly good, I would say, and that is what the clock indeed suggests about this year’s Morgiana. This was not Champion Hurdle-winning form but there could still be a champion hurdler in there.

The Morgiana was run in a time 13.0s (nearly a furlong) quicker than the handicap won by Grand Partner a bit later on and measures up well against the bumper won by Hollow Games and various hurdles at different distances elsewhere on the card.

That is testament to a well-run race on the whole (103% finishing speed). The rather slow-motion closing stages should be viewed in that context, but also in the context of Abacadabras seeming to be pulling himself up in front.

I have a timefigure of 155 on all the first three for this, though Abacadabras can remain on his previous 158 for at least another start. That is around 10lb below an average Champion Hurdle winner, but the Cheltenham race has not had a lot of strength in depth of late and the winner and second here still look open to improvement.

Ran freely

Things did not go entirely to plan for Saint Roi, who went quite freely and lost his place after a mistake two out then got going again at the death.

His Champion Hurdle claims had seemed slightly overblown beforehand but look credible with this further experience under his belt.

Jason The Militant has come a long way in a short time, also, though may need his sights lowering slightly to get back in the winner’s enclosure. Coeur Sublime (148) looked a real threat until emptying on the run-in.