A CHANGING of the guard or just early skirmishes before the status quo is re-established in March? This is just one of the considerations that emerges out of a fascinating weekend of action at Punchestown. What has been established is that both the Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup pictures have been invigorated by the young pretenders, who upset the old guard, with promise of plenty more to come.

The data produced in the Morgiana Hurdle and John Durkan Memorial Chase comes under the sectional microscope this week, along with the return of Ballyburn, who made his chasing debut on Saturday.