Back In Front can make it five

EDWARD O’Grady’s Back In Front has to be fancied to complete a spectacular five-timer in the EMO Oil Champion Hurdle at Punchestown this afternoon.

He produced an extraordinary performance at Cheltenham to win the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, unextended by ten lengths from Kicking King.

The five-year-old returned to action at this meeting on Tuesday and, while nowhere near as impressive as at Cheltenham, still managed a more than competent effort. Norman Williamson powered him ahead on the approach to the final flight to beat the progressive Limerick Boy a comfortable two and a half lengths.