Colonel Mustard will be the outsider of a field of four facing the starter for Friday’s Grade 1 Boodles Champion Hurdle but while trainer Lorna Fowler the Rahinston star faces a very tall order, the phenomenal prize money on offer makes the audacious tilt a sensible proposition.

The nine-year-old, who will have JJ Slevin in the plate, finished an 11-length fifth in the Cheltenham Champion Hurdle won by State Man, with Irish Point in second.

On a day where Willie Mullins superstar, Ballyburn puts his credentials on the line once more in the Grade 1 Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle, that pair will do battle once more and State Man’s Closutton stablemate, Sir Gerhard completes the field.

Fowler is limited with where she can pitch the Makfi gelding, given his rating of 148.

He has been placed twice at Grade 1 level as a novice and was third behind State Man in the 2022 County Hurdle at Cheltenham. He has also been runner-up in the Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso, the Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr and the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton.

Pragmatic approach

Fowler reports that Colonel Mustard had a hard race in Cheltenham but has come to hand recently and is adopting a pragmatic approach to the task at hand with €300,000 in prize money on offer.

“Cheltenham took a lot out of him and he needed every bit of that time since to recover,” said Fowler today. “We thought of bringing him to Aintree and Ayr but he just wouldn’t have been ready. I think he’s got the tank full again having had the time.

“We know what we’re up against but we’ll do our best and it’s as simple as that.

“I must applaud the prize money that Punchestown are offering . It’s fantastic and everyone recognises it but it should be applauded.

“I feel we were unlucky not to get our day in the sun at Kelso last year. He ran very well in the handicaps when he still had a bit in hand last year. I don’t think he does now with his mark.

“There are other options for him which we might explore down the line but you are quite limited. We all want to win races – me more than anyone. But at the same time, it’s a pleasure to have a horse run in that calibre of race and he does bring it to the table every time.

“And the other thing is, it is a horse race. There are jumps involved. I know what price we are and we’re right to be that price but anything can happen, and if you’re not in, you can’t win.”

Easy Gallaghers’ Novice Hurdle winner, Ballyburn is the standout in a field of six for the Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle, with owner Ronnie Bartlett looking to add to his Grade 1 haul of the week after Banbridge’s dramatic late thrust to claim yesterday’s William Hill Champion Chase.

Willie Mullins saddles four, with former festival winner Predators Gold included, while Aintree runner-up Staffordshire Knot represents the same owner, Gigginstown House Stud and trainer, Gordon Elliott.

The admirable graded winner Jetara has been declared by Jessica Harrington.

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