Punchestown preview: Teahupoo can rebound to win third title
OUT TO BOUNCE BACK: Gordon Elliot and Jack Kennedy with Teahupoo. Pic: Patrick McCann/Racing Post
On the assumption first-time blinkers help him travel more sweetly, Teahupoo is fancied to bounce back from his Cheltenham disappointment to win the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle for a third consecutive year.
The Gordon Elliott-trained nine-year-old looked better than ever when winning a seventh Grade One at Leopardstown at Christmas and was consequently sent off the 9-4 favourite to regain the Stayers’ Hurdle he won in 2024.
However, things didn’t go to plan at Cheltenham and he trailed in sixth, seven lengths behind Home By The Lee.
While he was clearly below his best that day, he also didn’t get a clear run at a crucial stage of the contest.
He’s clearly better than that, evidenced by the fact it was the first time he finished worse than second since he had to settle for fourth in this race at the 2023 Punchestown festival.
The eight-race sequence in between saw him win six Grade Ones and if he brings his A-game this time he should be hard to stop.
Bob Olinger was no match for Teahupoo at Christmas but finished in front of him at Cheltenham, putting up a fine defence of his Stayers’ Hurdle crown to finish a close third.
He looks the biggest threat to Teahupoo here but is two years older than his rival and may have to settle for another honourable defeat.
The Barberstown Castle Novice Chase, the other Grade One on the day three card, looks a penalty kick for the Kopek Des Bordes and it’ll be a huge surprise if he fails to deliver.
Last year’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle hero only ran once over fences prior to tackling the Arkle Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham and there’s little doubt the Charlie McCarthy-owned six-year-old would have won but a mistake at the last that handed the initiative to Closutton stablemate Kargese.
However, he remains a seriously exciting prospect and this looks a terrific opportunity for him to make amends.
Champion Chase sixth Irish Panther can win the race for second.
Away from the Grade One action, Willie Mullins has a host of chances, starting in the opening race, the Specialist Group Novice Hurdle, where Leader d'Allier will likely be sent off favourite.
However, he comes here on a retrieval mission having disappointed when sent off the even-money for a Fairyhouse Grade Two earlier this month.
For that reason, and at the likely prices, preference is for stablemate Nadia’s Boy.
A point-to-point winner this time last year, he went on to win a Kilbeggan bumper in the summer before maintaining his unbeaten record on his hurdling debut at Listowel last September.
This will demand more but the ceiling of Nadia’s Boy has yet to be established and his freshness here might be a positive rather than a weakness.
Mullins can also strike in the Close Brothers Irish EBF Mares Novice Hurdle where Future Prospect, a decent fourth in a Fairyhouse Grade One last time out, can make her presence felt.
A Closutton victory is also likely in the finale where Champion Bumper sixth Quiryn can land the bumper.
2.30 Nadia’s Boy
3.05 Future Prospect
3.40 Vanillier
4.15 Seaniecon
4.50 Release The Beast
5.25 Kopek Des Bordes
6.05 Teahupoo (Nap)
6.35 Quiryn (NB)
2.30 Colcannon
3.05 Diamond Du Berlais
3.40 Desertmore House
4.15 Buachaillbocht
4.50 McLaurey
5.25 Irish Panther
6.05 Bob Olinger
6.35 Look Me
