Irish Preview: Morgiana Hurdle

There is yet another top-notch card at Cheltenham on Sunday, as the track plays host to the final day of its November meeting. However, it’s fair to assume that most eyes will be on Punchestown and an eagerly-anticipated renewal of the Morgiana Hurdle come 14:15, as Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins go head-to-head – ground permitting – with two of the most talked about equine names in the sport.

Mullins has won the last seven renewals of this race and Faugheen looks the obvious place to start as he attempts to repeat last season’s 16-length demolition of Jezki. Making his return after 22 months off the track that day, the 2015 Champion Hurdle winner could not have done more to suggest that all of his ability remained intact, making all in typically relentless fashion and earning a rapturous reception as he crossed the line, with commentator Dessie Scahill echoing the thoughts of everyone who saw it: ‘The machine is back in full working order’.

However, the wheels rather came off the machine on his next three starts, when failing to justify odds-on favouritism in the Ryanair Hurdle (pulled up) and the Irish Champion Hurdle (second), both at Leopardstown, and when also trying to regain his crown in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham (sixth). So far below his previous high standards had he fallen, that the step back up to three miles for the Champion Stayers’ Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival was seen as a last throw of the dice by many, and he was only the third choice in the betting of seven Mullins-trained runners.

What a performance! Faugheen's victory one of the many highlights during the Punchestown Festival... pic.twitter.com/8dvUJtxuG5

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) April 29, 2018

A 13-length defeat of Penhill that day silenced many of the doubters, though, and it could prove significant that he is the chosen representative here of Mullins’ big names in the two-mile hurdling division, which also includes last season’s Champion Hurdle runner-up Melon and the exciting mare Laurina. A big run is certainly expected if the market is anything to go by – his price was halved from 4/1 to 2/1 on Wednesday – and he is 2 lb clear of the field on weight-adjusted ratings, for all that he has not produced that level of form at this trip since this race last year.

Mullins also saddles Sharjah and Wicklow Brave. The latter is a previous Grade 1 winner over C&D, having won the Punchestown Champion Hurdle in 2017, but even that form gives him a bit to find with the principals here, while Galway Hurdle winner Sharjah could only manage third in the WKD Hurdle at Down Royal last time, despite receiving weight from his two main rivals.

That WKD Hurdle has been one of the hotly-debated races in these opening weeks of the National Hunt, as it also witnessed the first defeat when completing of last season’s leading novice hurdler Samcro. It would be easy to jump to extreme conclusions in such circumstances, with many claiming that defeat as proof that Samcro should have gone novice chasing this season, but a position somewhere in between major setback and a run on which he will build is perhaps the most logical approach, especially as it was a muddling affair that developed into a dash, a setup which suited the winner Bedrock – to whom Samcro was conceding 5 lb – down to the ground.

Upset! Samcro is beaten for the first time while staying on his feet as Bedrock pounces late under the excellent @rachaelblackmor in the Grade 2 WKD Hurdle at @Downroyal. A successful raid as the prize goes to Scotland - congratulations @jardineracing and team pic.twitter.com/49At0YvHl0

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) November 2, 2018

The figures tell you that that first run since falling in the latest renewal of the Punchestown Champion Hurdle still represented a career best by Samcro, and it is one from which he is fully entitled to improve – many of Gordon Elliott’s horses have needed their first run of the season in 2018/19, as discussed in Jamie Lynch’s column. The debate as to whether Samcro can mix it with the very best two-milers will rage on with the Champion Hurdle in mind, but Sunday’s clash with Faugheen should reveal much more. Racing fans everywhere will have fingers crossed that it is allowed to go ahead, with Samcro, who is set to be ridden for Davy Russell for the first time with Jack Kennedy suspended, said to be a doubtful runner unless there is sufficient cut in the ground.

The field is completed by Supasundae and Tombstone. The latter is a stablemate of Samcro and possibly in there to ensure a good gallop, a scenario that would also play into the hands of the versatile Supasundae.

Jessica Harrington’s charge was second in last season’s Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, but connections may have been ruing not letting him take his chance in the Champion Hurdle at the Festival instead –  he certainly wouldn’t have been out of place, as his two starts over two miles in 2017/18 resulted in wins in Ireland’s two flagship races at the trip, namely the Irish Champion Hurdle (by two and a quarter lengths from Faugheen) at Leopardstown and the Punchestown Champion Hurdle (by three and a quarter lengths from Wicklow Brave). He is the only other runner trading at single-figure odds here and adds further intrigue to what promises to be a fascinating race.