Ratings Update: Saldier enters Champion Hurdle picture with Morgiana success

Cheltenham hogged the headlines at the weekend, but the most significant performances with an eye on the Festival took place at Punchestown.

Last season’s impressive Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner Klassical Dream was expected to bolster his Champion Hurdle claims in the Grade 1 Morgiana Hurdle but was upstaged by Willie Mullins-trained stablemate Saldier (157 from 151), who put himself firmly in the Festival picture with a very smart effort.

Saldier, a Grade 1-winning juvenile from two seasons ago, failed to complete on his only start last term but enhanced his reputation that day at Naas as he looked set to beat subsequent Champion Hurdle winner Espoir d’Allen only to take a crunching fall at the final flight.

Saldier suffered a broken nose in that incident but was given plenty of time to get over it and he rewarded connections’ patience at Punchestown, impressing with how he quickened into the lead. Speed is his main asset and he would be an ideal type for the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.

A surprise result at @punchestownrace, as SALDIER (7/1) claims the (Grade 1) Morgiana Hurdle, after being off the track for 371 days, with Klassical Dream only third.

A 9th consecutive victory in the race for @WillieMullinsNH!🏆

(🎥@punchestownrace)pic.twitter.com/F27HTxMbgt

— Timeform Live (@TimeformLive) November 16, 2019

Klassical Dream (156p) has been joined at the head of the Champion Hurdle betting by Saldier and Buveur d’Air (top price of 6/1) and he remains one to be positive about, despite Saturday’s shock third-place finish.

He may have lost his unbeaten record since joining the Mullins yard but there were mitigating circumstances. He was too exuberant for his own good on his first start since winning at the Punchestown Festival, and he wasn’t always fluent over his obstacles. He looks sure to come on for the run.

The Morgiana was the most prestigious and valuable race on the Punchestown card but arguably the event which attracted the most interest was the beginners’ chase, in which the 11-year-old Faugheen (c147p) made his belated debut over fences. The 2015 Champion Hurdle winner may not be the force of old, but he finished placed in the Stayers’ Hurdle last season and clearly retains plenty of ability. He proved a cut above his rivals, overcoming a serious mistake to win by seven and a half lengths, and posted one of the best performances in a novice chase this season. It’s difficult to know how high he can reach over fences, but he looks well up to winning a graded novice.

The great FAUGHEEN is back in the winners enclosure, scoring on his first start over fences at the grand age of 11 at @punchestownrace, for @WillieMullinsNH and @PTownend! 🏇

(🎥@punchestownrace)pic.twitter.com/cgBmMetZua

— Timeform Live (@TimeformLive) November 16, 2019

There were also a couple of notable efforts from promising youngsters on the card. Last year’s Champion Bumper runner-up Blue Sari (119P) was workmanlike rather than impressive on his hurdling debut, but he won with more in hand than the half-length margin would suggest, always holding on despite being closed down near the line. He is now open to significant improvement.

The Big Getaway (111 from 100) was much more visually impressive, bolting up in the closing bumper in the style of one who is certainly one to follow. He’s an imposing sort who will be seen to best effect when sent chasing, but he has the ability to make an impact over hurdles.

Sunday’s card at Punchestown was of slightly less interest but Battleoverdoyen (151p) set a new benchmark in the division when winning the Grade 2 Florida Pearl Novice Chase. Battleoverdoyen had always looked the type to come into his own over fences and in beating Any Second Now and Ex Patriot, who both have strong form in handicaps, he ran to a level superior to that he achieved over hurdles. He jumped fine, will be suited by tackling three miles and will be a big player in the leading staying novice chases.

A perfect 2 wins from 2 starts over fences for the @gelliott_racing-trained BATTLEOVERDOYEN, who claims victory in the (Grade 2) Florida Pearl Novice Chase at @punchestownrace! 🏇

What did you make of that performance folks?🤔

(🎥@punchestownrace)pic.twitter.com/puPv2qWXZz

— Timeform Live (@TimeformLive) November 17, 2019

Dual Grade 1 winner Yanworth was sent off favourite for the 2017 Champion Hurdle and was prominent in the betting for the Stayers’ Hurdle two seasons ago. However, he endured a disappointing time of things last term and moved from Alan King to Enda Bolger in the hope that the switch to competing in cross-country races would lead to a rejuvenation. He may have had an unconvincing stint over conventional fences but is still a high-class recruit to cross-country chasing and justified good support on his first start over the banks, overcoming a sloppy jump at the last to win with a bit up his sleeve. He could pose the biggest threat to Tiger Roll at the Cheltenham Festival.

At Cork Envoi Allen’s huge reputation was given another boost when Midnight Run (136p) impressively got off the mark over hurdles at the first attempt. He won two of his three starts in bumpers last season, finding only Envoi Allen too good, and he bolted up on his reappearance, looking a smart prospect as he brushed aside Punchestown Champion Bumper winner Colreevy.

Earlier in the week Douvan (166+) added a sprinkle of stardust to the Clonmel Oil Chase, and he did not disappoint on his eagerly-awaited return from a long layoff, brushing aside Jett and Monalee with ease to score by the best part of ten lengths. He was an outstanding chaser in his prime, notably winning his first 13 starts for Mullins, and at Clonmel he showed that he is still capable of producing top-class form.

The most impressive aspect was how quickly he put the race to bed, leaving some talented rivals in his wake as he effortlessly pulled clear, and he saw things out well, despite stepping up in trip on extremely testing ground. The Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas is an obvious target.