Bidding to become the first 10-year-old winner since Sea Pigeon in 1980, Supasundae might reward each-way support in today’s Unibet Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Winner of the Coral Cup here in 2017, Jessica Harrington’s charge has contested the last two Stayers Hurdles (finished runner-up and seventh).
But he possesses top-notch Grade 1 form over two miles, having won both the Irish and Punchestown Champion Hurdles in 2018.
Last season he beat Buveur D’air in the Aintree Hurdle (two and a half miles) before chasing home that rival at Punchestown.
In his only outing this season he was beaten less than five lengths in fourth behind Honeysuckle and two of todays’ rivals Darver Star and Petit Mouchoir in the Irish Champion Hurdle.
Supasundae will strip fitter, will be suited by a strong pace over two miles and is expected to reverse that Leopardstown form with his two rivals.
Whether he retains the zip to match some of his younger rivals remains to be seen. But he should be staying on powerfully up the hill and is expected to go close in an apparently below-par, but ultra-competitive reneweal.
Willie Mullins, chasing a fifth Champion, saddles two including supplementary entry Cilaos Emery, added after his Red Mills success last month when he reverted to hurdling.
On that Gowran evidence, he’ll need to brush up his jumping.
Patrick Mullins renews his successful partnership with Sharjah, disappointing behind Honeysuckle last time, but a three-time Grade 1 winner and conqueror of Petit Mouchoir in the Matheson at Leopardstown over Christmas.
Brought down by Buveur D’air at the third last year when strongly-fancied, Sharjah, rated 163, has solid claims at his best.
Gavin Cromwell successful with shock scorer Espor D’allen 12 months ago, is back with another realistic contender, Darver Star, beaten only a half-length by Honeysuckle in the Irish Champion and an amazingly progressive eight-year-old, having progressed from winning a handicap in Wexford off 108 last April.
Nine-year-old Petit Mouchoir is back for another tilt at the great race and, although sure to run his race, looks held by a number of his compatriots while Joseph O’Brien’s runner Darasso has plenty to find with Cilaos Emery on Gowran form.
Last year’s Triumph winner and runner-up, Nicky Henderson’s Pentland Hills and the Gordon Elliott-trained Coeur Sublime, third behind Sharjah at Christmas, represent the five-year-old generation.
And probable favourite Epatante, impressive winner of Kempton’s Christmas Hurdle, looks best of the Henderson quartet, but flopped here last year. And she was the subject of a recent coughing scare.
Peter O'Hehir's tips
1.30.Shishkin
2.10.Notebook (Nap)
2.50.Kilidisart
3.30.Supasundae (e.w.)
4.10.Benie Des Dieux
4.50.Galvin
5.30.Carefully Selected
Longshot: Cogry (2.50.)
