Ballymore Champion Four-Year-Old Hurdle (Grade 1)

WITH the disappointment of Constitution Hill still lingering in his mouth from less than 24 hours earlier, Lulamba (11/10 favourite) ensured that Nicky Henderson left Punchestown with something to smile about by showing top-class potential in landing the Ballymore Champion Four-Year-Old Hurdle under a strong James Bowen ride.

In reversing the Triumph Hurdle form with Poniros (7/2), beating the 100/1 Cheltenham stunner by four lengths here, it brought Henderson’s tally of wins in this Grade 1 to five. He has won no major race in Ireland more often during his glittering and lengthy training career.

The Cheltenham Festival clash between Punchestown’s one-two left the impression that Joe and Marie Donnelly’s impressive youngster had been caught cold late on by a new hurdles recruit with flat speed.

Bowen was adamant that wouldn’t be the case this time around and brought his mount’s stamina into proceedings, which proved to be the difference from the last to the line.

Further depth was added to the result by Dublin Racing Festival Grade 1 winner Hello Neighbour getting within three-quarters of a length of the second, while Aintree Grade 1 winner Murcia was a further three lengths back in fourth.

“These are big days, it’s been a big week and a great week for the Donnelly family. Two winners like that [following State Man a day earlier] is pretty special,” said Henderson.

Deserved success

“We tried to get in the way yesterday - it was a bitter pill - but well done to them. Now we’ve done it together. This is a fantastic place, we love it.

“This is a proper horse for another day. He deserves it as much as everybody. I wouldn’t say he was unlucky not to win at Cheltenham, he couldn’t do anything about it at the time and we got a bit of revenge there.” Lulamba is now the outright or joint-favourite with some firms for next year’s Arkle at 6/1 (from 8/1), while Poniros is out to 40/1 (from 25/1) for the 2026 Champion Hurdle and remains priced between 16/1 and 33/1 for this year’s Melbourne Cup.

Chasing hasn’t been ruled out by any means for the winner, who could go down a Sir Gino-like route.

Henderson added: “He’s a lovely horse for the future. I don’t know what he’ll do next; it’s early days and it’s only the fourth race of his life. He’s a big baby to be doing juvenile hurdles against flat horses, so fair credit to him.”