3.10 PCI Irish Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m

Aramon: High-class novice hurdler when he won at the top level and reached the frame in several other Grade 1 contests. He struggled to make an impact on his comeback behind Sharjah at Christmas but that run should bring him forward.

Darver Star: Vastly improved gelding who notched up four successive wins in the autumn and stepped forward again to take third behind Envoi Allen in the Royal Bond. Interesting to see how that form translates to this level, but he is going to have to find further progress to play a part here.

Klassical Dream: Enjoyed a stellar novice hurdling season but has yet to reach those heights this term. However, his comeback at Punchestown was satisfactory and he lost all chance with a bad mistake at the fourth flight in the race won by Sharjah at Christmas. It would be most unwise to start underestimating him off the back of his last run.

Monsieur Lecoq: Won the Listed Welsh Champion Hurdle in October and has since posted three decent efforts in defeat, the latest being a 9l second to Not So Sleepy off a mark of 150 in a quality handicap hurdle at Ascot in December. Solid and consistent type, but a few of these look too strong.

Petit Mouchoir: Won this race in 2017 and has shown distinct signs of a revival lately as evidenced by his second to Saldier in the Morgiana, which was followed by a runner-up finish behind Sharjah over this course and distance at Christmas. He is respected.

Saglawy: Very useful hurdler at his best, but after struggling in two premier handicaps on the flat he had to settle for second behind the Irish Grand National winner Burrows Saint in a 2m 4f conditions race at Punchestown a month ago. He will have to do vastly better to make an impact here.

Sharjah: Top-notch two-mile hurdler at his best as evidenced by three Grade 1 success, and two of those have come over this course and distance. The latest of those victories was achieved at the expense of Petit Mouchoir and he must have every chance of adding to his top-flight haul.

Supasundae: Won this race in 2018 and finished second last year before ending his season with an Aintree Hurdle win and a second to Buveur D’Air in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle. Generally tends to improve a good deal from his seasonal reappearance, so he could be vulnerable.

Ballycaines: A second in a Wincanton maiden hurdle in May is his best effort from three runs over timber and has a mountain to climb based on his jumping efforts to date.

Honeysuckle: Brilliant mare who is unbeaten in six outings over hurdles, the latest being a highly impressive 9l victory in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle two months ago. She has only run once over this trip and is potentially vulnerable at this distance, but she is still a formidable contender for this prize.

Conclusion

Honeysuckle will probably prove to be most effective over longer trips but she has the class and ability to cope with the drop back to this distance and, with the promise of more to come, she is selected at the expense of Sharjah.

Klassical Dream is expected to leave the form of his last run well behind, while Petit Mouchoir’s recent efforts entitle him to consideration.