4.55 Ballymore Champion Four-Year-Old Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m

Apolon De Charnie: Shock 50/1 winner of the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham. Looked to be no fluke about that performance. Paul Townend takes over in the saddle now and looks the pick of the Willie Mullins battalion. Overall form makes him very much the horse to beat.

Bartholomew: Promising fourth on his hurdling debut at Leopardstown and backed that up with an authoritative display at Cork last time. Takes a significant step up in class here, but is a lightly-raced gelding who shouldn’t be discounted despite needing to improve again.

Bertutea: Maiden winner at Limerick over Christmas; pulled up in Leopardstown Grade 1 next time and well beaten in the Fred Winter last time. A better round of jumping could see some improvement, but, on balance, he has it all to do here.

Kai Lung: Made all to win his maiden hurdle at Naas in January. Pulled up in the Triumph Hurdle after and beaten when unseating at Fairyhouse last month. Capable on his day, but this looks a big ask at this stage of his career.

Macho Man: French winner who has twice finished behind Proactif this season. Made a bad mistake when pulled up at Cheltenham in between those runs. Would have an each-way chance if getting the run of the race, but more needed to win.

Madness d’Elle: Runner-up over course and distance on debut before going one better at Gowran next time. Finished well behind Saratoga in the Fred Winter and, has work to do to overturn that form.

Matin Midi Et Soir: Dual winner in France, including a Grade 3 on latest start. An intriguing runner on his Irish debut for Henry de Bromhead. Comes into the race more unexposed than the majority of these and no surprise to see him play a leading role.

Moulin Labbe: Behind Kai Lung on Irish debut at Naas and no match for Proactif at Fairyhouse recently. Did manage to win his maiden at Navan in between, but this is almost certainly a bridge too far.

One Horse Town: Won his first four starts over hurdles, including at Cheltenham in November. Far from disgraced when reaching the frame in three stronger races after, but had his limitations exposed in the Triumph Hurdle last time.

Proactif: Sent off favourite for the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham, but weakened late on having been up with the leaders turning for home. Resumed winning ways at Fairyhouse last month and looks one of the more likely winners, if he can be forgiven that Cheltenham lapse.

Saratoga: Impressive winner of the Fred Winter at Cheltenham last month. Although that race was a handicap, he looks capable of holding his own in stronger company. With Mark Walsh retaining faith, it suggests that he is the preferred of the McManus duo.

Charme De Faust: Maiden hurdle winner at Thurles in January. Ran well against her elders when fourth in the Mares’ Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham next time. Only managed third at Fairyhouse last month but that race was over an additional half-mile. Lively outsider back in against her own age group.

Majolique: Won a Naas listed race on her Irish debut in February. Bypassed Cheltenham and caught the eye, staying on nicely from off the pace behind Proactif at Fairyhouse recently. Has more scope for improvement than a lot of these and could have a big part to play in the finish.

Conclusion:

Triumph Hurdle winner Apolon De Charnie sets a clear standard and should prove difficult to beat. Saratoga is interesting stepping up in class having looked much better than a handicapper when landing the Fred Winter at Cheltenham. Matin Midi Et Soir is an intriguing runner on his Irish debut, while Majolique could have more to offer.