16:55 Punchestown (IRE) 02 May 2026
Ballymore Champion Four Year Old Hurdle
Grade 1 | Class 1 | 4YO only
Winner €74,999 - 12 ran
prominent, a little keen, tracked leaders after 1st, not fluent 2nd, 3rd halfway, not fluent 6th, headway to dispute lead entering straight, soon led and pushed along, ridden and asserted before last, stayed on well
prominent, took keen hold, tracked leaders after 1st, 4th halfway, pushed along when not clear run briefly early straight, ridden and went 2nd approaching last where pecked slightly, no impression, kept on same pace
mid-division on inner, 7th halfway, 5th after 2 out and pushed along entering straight, 3rd and no impression last, ridden run-in, kept on same pace
mid-division, took keen hold, checked and stumbled 1st, soon towards rear, pushed along and some headway after 2 out, 7th and no impression before last, 6th when slight mistake last, ridden run-in, kept on same pace
mid-division, jumped left 1st, 8th halfway, pushed along in 6th entering straight, ridden in 5th and no impression when landed awkwardly last, kept on one pace
prominent, tracked leader after 1st, not fluent 4th, close up when slight mistake 2 out, pushed along and disputed lead briefly entering straight, ridden and no impression before last, 4th last, no extra
mid-division, not fluent 4th, pushed along in 11th after 2 out, no impression when switched left early straight, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, a little keen, 5th halfway, pushed along in 8th after 2 out, ridden and no impression when slight mistake last, no extra
prominent, took keen hold, led after 1st, jumped left 2nd, pushed along and joined entering straight, soon headed and no impression, ridden and weakened before last
mid-division on outer, a little keen, 6th halfway, 9th and no impression entering straight, weakened
always towards rear, never a factor, bumped 1st and not fluent 2nd, slight mistake 4th, pushed along in 10th after 2 out, no extra
always behind, never a factor, a little keen, in rear when mistake 2 out, soon pushed along and no impression, weakened, pulled up before last
Betting returns
| Type | Winnings |
|---|---|
| CSF | €47.75 (11, 2) |
| Tricast | €320.74 (11, 2, 5) |
| Win | €5.50 (11) |
| Place | €1.70 (11), €2.30 (2), €1.90 (5) |
| Exacta | €52.40 (11, 2) |
| Trifecta | €312.70 (11, 2, 5) |
Expert Analysis
J.P. McManus had the leading juvenile hurdle at the midpoint of the season with Narcisco Has before that one got a setback, but he has found a fine replacement this spring with Saratoga, who followed up his comfortable Fred Winter victory with a similar win here. Given the success the four-year-olds had at this meeting, this could be a race worth following.
SARATOGA has stepped up markedly on his maiden hurdle form this spring and again impressed with how he went through his race, tracking the pace and going well to hit the front in the straight (far from all out) and win. His hurdling is still patchy, but he has a lot of ability on the flat (rated 92 in that sphere) and is well worth his place in open company, already a winner over the Champion Hurdle course and distance.
BARTHOLOMEW was well-backed for this marked step up in grade, and he coped with it, coming from a little further back than the winner. He had a break after Christmas and connections seem of the view that he prefers better ground.
MACHO MAN upheld Fairyhouse form with Majolique though still seems behind the best of his generation.
CHARME DE FAUST had her last two starts in races that emphasis stamina, the Dawn Run and the Honeysuckle mares novice hurdle, and was unsuited by the emphasis on speed. She came from a long way back and can do better up in trip.
MAJOLIQUE finished a similar distance behind Macho Man as at Fairyhouse and was not helped by a slight mistake at the last. She is one that should improve with racing.
ONE HORSE TOWN ran much better than in the Triumph though was well-positioned close to the pace.
BERTUTEA ran better here than both of last two starts and looks more of a stayer.
MATIN MIDI ET SOIR was notably strong in the market, backed into favouritism in the end, but seemed to lack sharpness on his first start in eight months. He should be suited by a great emphasis on stamina.
KAI LUNG made the running and lasted longer than on his last two starts at Cheltenham and Fairyhouse, which indicates the pace was slow.
APOLON DE CHARNIE failed to back up his Triumph win, that success coming off a six-month absence. His rider reported that he was never travelling.
MADNESS D’ELLE was never involved.
MOULIN LABBE raced in rear and was pulled up before the last.
Video Highlights
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Replay: 16:55 Punchestown 2nd May 2026
Previous winners
| Year | Going | Ran | Winner | Draw | Age | Weight | OR | Form | Last run | Trainer (Distance) | Jockey | SP | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Yielding | 12 | Lulamba | 4 | 11 0 | - | 112 | 50 days | N J Henderson | James Bowen | 11/ 10 | 3:49.60 | |
| 2024 | Soft | 10 | Kargese | 4 | 10 7 | - | 2-12122 | 23 days | W P Mullins (47 miles) | Paul Townend | 9/ 4 | 4:05.70 | |
| 2023 | Good - Yielding | 8 | Lossiemouth | 4 | 10 7 | - | 1-1121 | 43 days | W P Mullins (47 miles) | Paul Townend | 1/ 2 | 3:58.10 | |
| 2022 | Yielding | 6 | Vauban | 4 | 11 0 | - | 411211 | 43 days | W P Mullins (47 miles) | Paul Townend | 4/ 11 | 4:06.90 | |
| 2021 | Good - Yielding | 9 | Jeff Kidder | 4 | 11 2 | - | 251711 | 26 days | N Meade (49 miles) | Sean Flanagan | 22/ 1 | 3:50.00 | |
| 2019 | Good - Yielding | 5 | Fusil Raffles | 4 | 11 0 | - | 121 | 70 days | N J Henderson | Daryl Jacob | 13/ 8 | 3:51.90 | |
| 2018 | Yielding - Soft | 7 | Saldier | 4 | 11 0 | - | 665153 | 11 days | W P Mullins (47 miles) | Robbie Power | 10/ 1 | 3:57.10 | |
| 2017 | Good - Yielding | 7 | Bapaume | 4 | 11 0 | - | 61-2123 | 43 days | W P Mullins (47 miles) | Ruby Walsh | 2/ 1 | 3:53.40 | |
| 2016 | Good - Yielding | 5 | Apple's Jade | 4 | 10 7 | - | 1121 | 23 days | W P Mullins (47 miles) | Bryan Cooper | 8/ 13 | 3:59.80 | |
| 2015 | Soft | 10 | Petite Parisienne | 4 | 10 7 | - | 322152 | 27 days | W P Mullins (47 miles) | Bryan Cooper | 11/ 4 | 4:09.30 | |
| 2014 | Good - Yielding | 13 | Abbyssial | 4 | 11 0 | - | 3111F | 50 days | W P Mullins (47 miles) | Ruby Walsh | 15/ 2 | 3:49.40 | |
| 2013 | Heavy | 6 | Diakali | 4 | 11 0 | - | 241124 | 43 days | W P Mullins (47 miles) | Ruby Walsh | EVENS | 4:00.60 | |
| 2012 | Heavy | 13 | Hisaabaat | 4 | 11 0 | - | U22212 | 43 days | D K Weld (19 miles) | A Lynch | 4/ 1 | 4:07.80 | |
| 2011 | Good | 7 | Grandouet | 4 | 11 0 | - | 52113B | 30 days | N J Henderson | B J Geraghty | 5/ 2 | 3:47.40 | |
| 2010 | Good | 9 | Barizan | 4 | 11 0 | - | 111222 | 16 days | Evan Williams | J Maguire | 4/ 1 | 3:41.90 | |
| 2009 | Soft | 8 | Jumbo Rio | 4 | 11 0 | - | 322D19 | 50 days | E J O'Grady (98 miles) | A J McNamara | 5/ 2 | 3:56.60 | |
| 2008 | Good to Soft | 10 | Won In The Dark | 4 | 11 0 | - | R12123 | 43 days | Miss S J Harty (19 miles) | Davy Russell | 4/ 1 | 3:50.80 | |
| 2007 | Good | 11 | Punjabi | 4 | 11 0 | - | 731142 | 14 days | N J Henderson | M A Fitzgerald | 6/ 4 | 3:42.80 | |
| 2006 | Good | 8 | Quatre Heures | 4 | 11 0 | - | 95110 | 44 days | W P Mullins (47 miles) | M A Fitzgerald | 9/ 2 | 3:52.00 | |
| 2005 | Soft | 7 | United | 4 | 10 9 | - | 210711 | 45 days | L Wadham | Leighton Aspell | 6/ 1 | 4:03.10 |
