Grade One Morgiana Hurdle Guide

Trainer - Willie Mullins

Jockey - Paul Townend

This five year old came to life for trainer Willie Mullins last season being unbeaten on all four of his starts landing three consecutive Grade One contests in the process.

The gelding started his season off at Leopardstown in a 20 runner maiden where he cruised to victory and from that day stamped his authority on the two mile novice hurdling division.

He landed three consecutive Grade one contests throughout his season starting in February at Leopardstown at the Dublin racing festival.

He then headed to the Cheltenham festival and hacked up in the Supreme Novices Hurdle enjoying the soft conditions and to round off his season he took the Champion Novice Hurdle at the Punchestown festival.

He makes his seasonal return in this contest which comes at the same track as his last win.

He looks the one to beat.

Trainer - Henry De Bromhead

Jockey - Rachael Blackmore

The eight year old has been around what feels like forever but is certainly a horse in decline and will need to have a huge resurgence to go close in this field.

The Gigginstown owned gelding has not won since 2017 in a Beginners Chase at Punchestown over course and distance and has been below par for the most part of the last two years.

As a hurdler back near the start of his career he was a superb talent but it now looks as if his best days are behind him and he is making the numbers up here.

Trainer - Willie Mullins

Jockey -

This five year old gelding has been off the track for some time but if retaining his ability has to be respected if stepping into this contest which was the plan last year before his nasty injury.

With a big target of the Champion Hurdle Mullins sent Saldier to Naas for his seasonal debut last year in the Grade Three Fishery Lane Hurdle.

The gelding had jumped lovely all the way round before coming up to the last alongside Espoir D'Allen, who landed the Champion Hurdle at the 2019 festival, but unfortunately taking a nasty fall when he looked sure to take the race.

That form alone is a huge thing to look at if being able to replicate it but after the fall it was revealed Saldier had broken his nose and was not raced again throughout the season.

Mullins admitted he could of raced last term but has been saved for this season and is in rude health ahead of this seasonal return.

Trainer - Willie Mullins

Jockey -

Last year's winner of this contest has a huge chance to land the spoils again if coming back fresh having been brought down in the Cheltenham Champion Hurdle which was his final run.

He was one of the most improved horses last season finishing third on his seasonal debut at Down Royal in the Grade Two WKD Hurdle but from there went on to land back to back Grade One wins.

The six year old scored in this four runner event but then topped that at Leopardstown in the Ryanair Hurdle beating a stellar group of runners to be a serious candidate for the Champion Hurdle.

Before he was unfortunately brought down by dual winner of the race Buveur D'Air, he was travelling nicely and we will never know what could of been.

Back for a new season now with less runs before this contest could be an advantage with freshness playing a big part and he is not ruled out.

Trainer - Ed Delaney

Jockey -

The final runner of the race is the unknown Yaha Fizz and this horse will be praying for as much rain as possible with his best efforts coming on soft ground.

However, even with that going in his favour it looks as if he will battling it out with Petit Mouchoir for who will be finishing last with the field looking too strong for him.

He has had one run over fences already this season at Roscommon finishing third but his trainer has sent him back to hurdles to see if he can fair any better.

Looks opposable.