The topic of diminishing field sizes will undoubtedly crop up this weekend, with only four runners declared for both the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury and the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse. Such low numbers are disappointing and a little concerning regarding the strength in depth of the 2m4f+ hurdle division at the highest level.
However, on a more positive note, a double-figure field isn’t always necessary to create a compelling contest. Friday’s Long Distance Hurdle still provides a fascinating showdown between Grade 1 winner Strong Leader and the popular dual Cheltenham Festival winner Langer Dan, whilst on Sunday we have a mouthwatering prospect in store at Fairyhouse.
First run in 1994, the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle is named in honour of Vincent O’Brien’s three-time Champion Hurdle winner. Since that inaugural edition, the 2m4f event has compiled an impressive roll of honour, including the names of Istabraq, Hurricane Fly, and Honeysuckle. Regularly attracting contenders with Cheltenham Festival aspirations, the 2024 edition includes the current favourite for both the Champion Hurdle and Stayers’ Hurdle.
Teahupoo to Join an Illustrious List?
With five previous Hatton’s Grace wins, Gordon Elliott needs one more to join James Bowe atop the all-time trainers’ table. This year, Elliott relies on the 2022 and 2023 champ, Teahupoo, who confirmed his status as the king of the three-mile division with classy wins at the Cheltenham and Punchestown Festivals.
Teahupoo currently tops the 2025 Stayers’ Hurdle market at a general price of 2/1 and makes the first step towards his ultimate goal here. A neck too good for Klassical Dream when causing a 20/1 shock in 2022, he mastered another Willie Mullins runner in Impaire Et Passe when scoring by a length in 2023. A third success in 2024 will see him join Limestone Lad, Solerina, Apple’s Jade, and Honeysuckle as a three-time winner of this €120,000 event.
Mullins Mare to Extend Winning Streak?
Willie Mullins has lost out to Elliott in the past two editions and currently trails his rival by around €600,000 in the race to become Irish Champion Trainer. However, in Lossiemouth, he may have the mare to take a chunk out of that deficit.
Going in the famous pink and green silks of Rich Ricci, this five-year-old mare has been almost flawless since joining the Mullins yard from France in 2022. Winning seven of eight starts, including four Grade 1 affairs, the only blemish came when a hugely unlucky second in the 2023 Spring Juvenile Hurdle.
Whilst mentioned as a possible Champion Hurdle contender in 2023/24, the daughter of Great Pretender ultimately headed to the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle for her Cheltenham Festival assignment. Much too good for her fellow mares in that event, she rounded off her season with a seven-length romp in the Mares’ Champion Hurdle at Punchestown. This year, all roads appear to lead to the Champion Hurdle – a race for which she is a general 5/2 favourite.
Odds Compilers Favour Teahupoo… but Only Just
With the greatest respect to Beacon Edge and Maxxum, who round out the four-runner field, it would be a major shock if either horse managed to upset the big two in the market. However, predicting whether the prize will fall to the seven-year-old gelding or up-and-coming five-year-old mare is no easy task.
The odds compilers are certainly having a tough time splitting the pair, with Teahupoo trading at a general 4/5, just ahead of Lossiemouth at 11/10. Can the Elliott star land the hat trick, or will this prize fall to a mare for the seventh time in nine years? A captivating clash awaits!