Punchestown
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Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle (Grade 1)
Starts in
Awaiting result
All Runners — sorted by TrackLab Score
TrackLab Insight
This is the standout horse in the field on almost every measure: top-rated by five pounds over his nearest rival, a winner here at this exact course and distance, and a career record of ten wins from just 18 races — meaning he wins more than half the time, which is extraordinary at this level. He finished sixth at Cheltenham seven weeks ago, but he has won two of his last three before that, both at Grade 1 level, and today's soft ground is where he has his best record. The editorial verdict points to him as a two-time winner of this race — a third would cement his legend.
Top rated by 5lbs
Has won over this course and distance
Best record on this ground (2 from 3)
Best record at this trip (2 from 4)
Trainer Quotes
Feb 2026
"He's been the horse of a lifetime and has already won seven Grade 1s. He's a bit unlucky not to have won more than one Stayers' Hurdle, but he goes back there with a great chance. He was brilliant at Christmas and I don't think that extra run before Cheltenham will do him any harm. We have plenty of time to freshen him up and he'll be bang there at the business end. It'll take a good one to beat him. 09-02-26"
Super Value
TrackLab Insight
The least experienced horse in the field by some distance — just three career races — which makes this a big leap into the unknown at Grade 1 level. What stands out is a flawless consistency: placed in all three races, including a win, and finished runner-up just 24 days ago at Fairyhouse. Whether that limited experience is enough to trouble the likes of Teahupoo today is the central question, but this is a horse with a genuinely unbeaten place record.
Lightly raced (3 career races)
Trainer Quotes
Nov 2025
"His form hasn't worked out too bad! He was second to Kopek Des Bordes, and then won a hot Fairyhouse maiden hurdle when beating William Munny. It might be the second half of the season before he reappears, but the plan would be to send him over fences. He's got plenty of ability. 17-11-25"
Good Value
TrackLab Insight
An 11-year-old who has won three times at Cheltenham but has never won on wet or muddy ground — and today the ground is soft, which is a real concern. He finished third at Cheltenham just seven weeks ago, beaten less than three lengths, so the form is live enough. However, today's conditions look likely to work against him, and he faces the top-rated horse in the field in Teahupoo.
One of few course winners (1 wins here)
Trainer Quotes
Feb 2026
"He's in super form. I think he's in as good form this year as last year [when he won the Stayers' Hurdle at 8-1], if not better and, as we all know, he loves it at Cheltenham. It was a lovely run over Christmas. Those older lads, you don't want to be too hard on them for their first run, so he ran lovely. He took a little blow just before the last and ran on again nicely [to finish second to Teahupoo]. He was the forgotten horse last year. I was at a preview night a couple of weeks before and I was looking at the betting. I got to 20-1 and I got a fright and started wondering if I'd actually entered him! I said then he was the each-way bet of the week. I wasn't saying he would win or anything but I couldn't believe the price he was. Obviously, we lost him for about a year and a half, but it's great to have him back. He's class and always has been. 15-02-26"
Feb 2022
"I remember going into Cheltenham 12 months ago feeling very hopeful about him in the Ballymore and he did not let us down. This season he has had just the two runs as the plan is to bring him on slowly. He won well at Gowran Park first time out and did what I expected in the Grade 3 Kildare Chase with another smooth success. Everything has been geared to next month and he has options of the Brown Advisory or Turners Novices' Chase. Nothing is set in stone but at the moment I am slightly leaning towards the latter. He is in very good form at home. 23-02-22"
TrackLab Insight
The youngest horse in the race at just six years old, and one of the least experienced with only eight races under its belt — yet it has placed in seven of those, winning three, which is a remarkable consistency for such a young horse. It ran just 19 days ago at Aintree and finished third, so it arrives in decent nick and with fresher legs than some rivals. The big question is whether a six-year-old can match it with the battle-hardened Teahupoo at Grade 1 level today.
Placed in 2 of last 3 races
Trainer Quotes
Feb 2026
"I'd say he'll go straight to the Stayers' Hurdle now. I was keen to run him in the Boyne Hurdle, but the ground was too heavy and he's not the biggest horse in the world. We'll get a racecourse gallop into him somewhere. He was a very good novice last season and we went over to Ascot for the Long Walk before Christmas to find out where we stood with him. Needless to say, we were thrilled with the way he ran. He stays well and has a touch of class to go along with it. 09-02-26"
TrackLab Insight
This one arrives here on the back of a fall at Leopardstown 88 days ago, which adds a note of uncertainty — we simply do not know how that experience has affected him. Before that, he won a Grade 1 race at Cheltenham in March, which marks him out as a horse who can reach the very top level. His jockey Paul Townend is the most successful rider-trainer combination in this race alongside Willie Mullins, winning roughly 1 in every 3 races together.
Mid-range in the market (9.0)
Trainer Quotes
Nov 2025
"He's entered in the Hatton's Grace, but I'd say we'll go chasing with him. He likes Cheltenham, and that's not a bad place to like! He chased home Ballyburn a few seasons ago and won the Coral Cup there last season. He should get three miles no problem. 17-11-25"
TrackLab Insight
Carries the lowest weight in the field and is rated 26 pounds below the top-rated Teahupoo, which gives a clear picture of where the form book places her in this company. She has course experience here at Punchestown, but her record on soft ground — today's conditions — reads just one win from eight attempts, which is a significant red flag. A Grade 1 winner at Doncaster in January shows she can reach the top level, but the evidence today does not point her way.
One of few course winners (1 wins here)
TrackLab Insight
This is one of the most experienced horses in the field with 28 races, but only three wins from all of those — meaning it wins roughly 1 in every 9 races. It has course experience here at Punchestown, but its record on left-handed galloping tracks like this one reads zero wins from nine attempts, which is a damning stat. At odds of 42-1 and drifting in the market, it is hard to make a strong case.
One of few course winners (1 wins here)
TrackLab Insight
On paper, a 101-1 outsider with just two wins from 19 races has very little chance in a race of this quality — and the market agrees. What is interesting, however, is that it finished just half a length behind the winner at Down Royal only 18 days ago, which is its best recent effort in some time. That narrow second suggests it is running well right now, but jumping up to Grade 1 company is a very different challenge.
Among the more experienced (19 career races)
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The first number is what you win, the second is what you bet. So 5/2 means you win £5 for every £2. 4/1 means you win £4 for every £1. The bigger the first number, the less likely bookmakers think the horse will win — but the more you'd win if it does.
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