Ballymore Champion 4yo Hurdle |
||
| Grade 1, Punchestown 16:55 €125,000 guaranteed, 4yo, 2m, Class 1  |
||
|
||
This race has developed into a compelling end-of-season test for the four-year-old division, and the 2026 renewal looks particularly competitive, with a blend of speed, precocity and untapped potential on show.
Apolon De Charnie wins the JCB Triumph Hurdle 🏆
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 13, 2026
A 50-1 winner for Patrick Mullins & @WillieMullinsNH 🤩 pic.twitter.com/QSqDyF2avS
At the head of the market is Apolon De Charnie, a horse who has quickly established himself as a leading figure among this generation. His form suggests a blend of class and professionalism that is often required to win at this level, and his ability to travel strongly through his races marks him out as a major player. The key question is whether he has already shown his hand or still has further improvement to come.
Feel Gut sits just behind in the betting and brings a slightly different profile, one that hints at tactical speed and the capacity to quicken when it matters. In races of this nature, where positioning and timing can be decisive, that attribute could prove invaluable.
Saratoga adds further depth, his performances suggesting he is not far off the top tier and capable of making his presence felt if the race unfolds to suit. He shapes as one who will appreciate a strong pace, allowing him to settle before delivering his effort late.
Closely matched in the market are Proactif, Forty Fifty, Matin Midi Et Soir and Selma De Vary, a quartet that underlines the depth of the contest. Each brings credible form, and all have the potential to improve again at this stage of the season. Of them, Proactif perhaps appeals as one who could bridge the gap to the principals, while Selma De Vary offers the prospect of further progress.
Majolique is another who warrants respect, particularly if the race becomes a test of stamina rather than speed, while Noire Wulf, Mange Tout and Bartholomew represent solid contenders capable of getting involved if things fall their way.
Macho Man completes the group of market principals, his profile suggesting he is not without ability, though he may need to find another level to trouble the very best of these.
With a larger field assembled beyond those at the top of the betting, the race is likely to be run at a true tempo, placing emphasis on both jumping accuracy and tactical awareness. Juvenile contests can often be unforgiving, and those who fail to settle or meet their hurdles cleanly can quickly find themselves on the back foot.
In that context, the balance between experience and improvement becomes crucial. Apolon De Charnie brings the strongest body of form, Feel Gut brings speed, and a host of others arrive with the potential to take a step forward.
As ever in this division, the margins are fine and the hierarchy not yet fully established. What is certain, however, is that this represents a final opportunity for this generation to define itself before attention turns to the seasons ahead.
Ballymore Champion Four Year Old Hurdle (Grade 1)
€125,000 guaranteed, 4yo only, 2m, Class 1
22 entries
Going:
PAST RESULTS
Age: 4
Wt: 11-0
Owner: Mrs J Donnelly
Trainer: Nicky Henderson
Jockey: James Bowen
Age: 4
Wt: 10-7
Owner: Kenneth Alexander
Trainer: W P Mullins
Jockey: Paul Townend
Age: 4
Wt: 10-7
Owner: Mrs S Ricci
Trainer: W P Mullins
Jockey: Paul Townend
Age: 4
Wt: 11-00
Owner: Mrs S Ricci
Trainer: W P Mullins
Jockey: Paul Townend
Age: 4
Wt: 11-2
Owner: Albert Dravins & Eamonn Scanlon
Trainer: Noel Meade
Jockey: Sean Flanagan
Covid-19
Age/Wt: 4-11-00
Owner: Simon Munir & Isaac Souede
Trainer: Nicky Henderson
Jockey: Daryl Jacob
Age/Wt: 4-11-00
Owner: Susannah Ricci
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: RM Power
Age/Wt: 4-11-00
Owner: Susannah Ricci
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Ruby Walsh
Age/Wt: 4-10-7
Owner: Gigginstown House
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Brian Cooper
Age/Wt: 4-10-07
Owner: Gigginstown House Stud
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Bryan Cooper
Age/Wt: 4-11-00
Owner: Mrs Violet O’Leary
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Ruby Walsh
Age/Wt: 4-11-00
Owner: Wicklow Bloodstock Ltd
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Ruby Walsh
Age/Wt: 4-11-00
Owner: Dr Ronan Lambe
Trainer: Dermot Weld IRE
Jockey: Andrew Lynch
Age/Wt: 4-11-00
Owner: Simon Munir
Trainer: Nicky Henderson GB
Jockey: Barry Geraghty
Age/Wt: 4-11-00
Owner: Peter Conway
Trainer: Evan Williams GB
Jockey: Jason Maguire
Age/Wt: 4-11-00
Owner: Patrick Wilmott
Trainer: Edward O’Grady
Jockey: Andrew McNamara
Age/Wt: 4-11-00
Owner: Gerard Crehan
Trainer: Sabrina Harty
Jockey: Davy Russell
Age/Wt: 4-11-00
Owner: Raymond Tooth
Trainer: Nicky Henderson GB
Jockey: Mick Fitzgerald
Age/Wt: 4-11-00
Owner: John Mc’s Winchester Synd.
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Mick Fitzgerald
Age/Wt: 4-10-09
Owner: R B Holt
Trainer: Lucy Wadham GB
Jockey: Leighton Aspell
Age/Wt: 4-11-00
Owner: Atlantic Joinery Ltd
Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill GB
Jockey: Tony Dobbin
Age/Wt: 4-11-00
Owner: Ged Mason/David Jackson
Trainer: Paul Nicholls GB
Jockey: Ruby Walsh
Age/Wt: 4-11-00
Owner: David Carr
Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill GB
Jockey: Tony Dobbin
Age/Wt: 4-11-00
Owner: John J Brennan
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Ruby Walsh
Age/Wt: 4-11-00
Owner: Pearse Racing Club
Trainer: Pat Hughes
Jockey: Charlie Swan
Age/Wt: 4-11-00
Owner: Robert Waley-Cohen
Trainer: Nicky Henderson GB
Jockey: Mick Fitzgerald
Age/Wt: 4-11-00
Owner: Elaine Baines
Trainer: David Nicholson GB
Jockey: Richard Johnson
Age/Wt: 4-11-00
Owner: J P McManus
Trainer: Christy Roche
Jockey: Conor O’Dwyer
Age/Wt: 4-10-09
Owner: D Coughlan
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
Jockey: A P McCoy
Age/Wt: 4-11-00
Owner: Des Sharkey
Trainer: Michael O’Brien
Jockey: Kevin O’Brien
Age/Wt: 4-11-00
Owner: Joe Crowley
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
Jockey: Charlie Swan
Age/Wt: 4-10-09
Owner: Miss G Maher
Trainer: Michael O’Brien
Jockey: Charlie Swan
Age/Wt: 4-11-09
Owner: Benny Schmidt-Bodner
Trainer: Mark Tompkins GB
Jockey: Steve Smith Eccles
Age/Wt: 4-11-04
Owner: David Brennan
Trainer: Paddy Mullins
Jockey: Tommy Carmody
Age/Wt: 4-11-06
Owner: Mrs C Shubotham
Trainer: Jim Bolger
Jockey: Tommy Carmody
Age/Wt: 4-11-09
Owner: J Lockhart
Trainer: Neville Callaghan GB
Jockey: Graham McCourt
Age/Wt: 4-11-03
Owner: Allen Paulson
Trainer: Dermot Weld
Jockey: Brendan Sheridan
Age/Wt: 4-11-00
Owner: P Kehoe
Trainer: Paddy Mullins
Jockey: Tony Mullins
Age/Wt: 4-11-03
Owner: N Grant
Trainer: Paddy Mullins
Jockey: Tony Mullins
Age/Wt: 4-11-03
Owner: G Blair
Trainer: Noel Meade
Jockey: Paul Leech
Age/Wt: 4-11-06
Owner: P Barrett
Trainer: Jim Bolger
Jockey: B Nolan
Age/Wt: 4-11-00
Owner: Mrs J O’Brien
Trainer: Liam Browne
Jockey: Mr Dermot Browne
Age/Wt: 4-11-08
Owner: Timothy Kinsella
Trainer: Mick O’Toole
Jockey: Niall Madden
Age/Wt: 4-11-01
Owner: Daniel Hale
Trainer: Paddy Prendergast
Jockey: Tom Morgan
Age/Wt: 4-10-13
Owner: William W Brainard Jun.
Trainer: Paddy Mullins
Jockey: Sean Treacy
*Run at Fairyhouse
