17:25 Punchestown Champion Hurdle Odds & Tips – 30th April 2021

Honeysuckle looks the one to beat in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle

Horse Racing Betting

The Punchestown Champion Hurdle odds takes a look at the final big Grade 1 fixture of the festival at the venue on Friday.

This is another of the top Grade 1 fixtures on what has been a brilliant week of action. The Punchestown Champion Hurdle is run over a 2m trip.

There are 8 declared runners for this year’s renewal and it looks as if it is the exciting HONEYSUCKLE who is the one to beat as the odds-on favourite.

Punchestown Champion Hurdle Odds

Honeysuckle 4/6
Epatante 6/1
Abacadabras 10/1
Goshen 10/1
Sharjah 12/1
Aspire Tower 14/1
Jason The MIlitant 16/1
Darver Star 50/1
* (odds recorded at 21:09 GMT on April 27th, 2021 at Paddy Power)


Horse Racing Betting at Paddy Power

Honeysuckle the 4/6 FAV in Punchestown Champion Hurdle Odds

HONEYSUCKLE is the clear favourite in this fixture, to the tune of 4/6* (odds recorded at 21:09 GMT on April 27th, 2021 at Paddy Power).

She is a clear star in this sphere, now having gone undefeated in 11 runs. That winning streak was secured with a success in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham 45 days ago.

Honeysuckle won that at a canter as well, crushing Sharjah by more than six lengths. That’s three wins from three from her in this campaign.

Honeysuckle is just a dominant beast and remarkably versatile over distances. She proved that the 2m was no bother for her at Cheltenham.

She did also have a fair chunk of this same field behind her at Prestbury Park. So you can put all that together and see why it’s hard to oppose Honeysuckle for the win on Friday.

Honeysuckle
4/6

Paddy Power

Could Abacadabras be the pick for second?

We are basically looking at the race for second place in Punchestown Champion Hurdle odds.

ABACADABRAS at 10/1 could have a reasonable shot* (odds recorded at 21:09 GMT on April 27th, 2021 at Paddy Power).

There was a win for him at Aintree on his latest run which was three weeks ago. He will need a sharp pace in this one to really boost his chances.

But that Aintree win was a good response from Abacadabras having fallen at the Cheltenham Festival at the Champion Hurdle.

Abacadabras faced up against Honeysuckle in the Irish Champion in February and came off second best to that rival. But he looks to be back in good form and a serious challenger for second.

Sharjah set for the places?

Another that you would expect to see challenge for a place finish in this one is Willie Mullins’ SHARJAH from 12/1* (odds recorded at 21:09 GMT on April 27th, 2021 at Paddy Power).

In December he kicked off this campaign with a win at Leopardstown in the Matheson. Two races later he was following Honeysuckle home at the Champion Hurdle.

There are slight concerns over his consistency, but on his day he is more than capable of a big race at this level. Sharjah retains plenty of interest for a place finish on the day.

 

Last 10 Champion Hurdle Winners (age, trainer, jockey)

  • 2019 Buveur D’Air,8, N Henderson, Davy Russell
  • 2018 Supasundae 8, J Harrington, Robbie Power
  • 2017 Wicklow Brave, 8, W P Mullins, Mr P W Mullins
  • 2016 Vroum Vroum Mag, 7 W P Mullins, Ruby Walsh
  • 2015 Faugheen, 7 W P Mullins, Ruby Walsh
  • 2014 Jezky, 6, J Harrington, A P McCoy
  • 2013 Hurricane Fly, 9, W P Mullins, Ruby Walsh
  • 2012 Hurricane Fly, 8, W P Mullins, Ruby Walsh
  • 2011 Hurricane Fly, 7, W P Mullins, Ruby Walsh
  • 2010 Hurricane Fly, 6, W P Mullins, Paul Townend

 

Will Goshen get it right?

We saw a nice return to form for GOSHEN when he scored in the Kingwell. So that gave him high hopes ahead of the Cheltenham Festival.

But there was a blow out for Goshen at Prestbury Park in the Champion Hurdle. He was eighth in the contest, a major disappointment to supporters.

The thought here is that a return to a right-handed track is going to play more into his favour. The ability is certainly there.

The 14/1 shot will have a lot to prove to backers this time around however* (odds recorded at 21:09 GMT on April 27th, 2021 at Paddy Power).

Can Epatante have a say?

There is plenty of promise in this top hurdler, but EPATANTE hasn’t quite hit the top of her game this season.

She was third at Cheltenham on her latest run, but never really looked to be a major threat in the Champion Hurdle contest which was surprising.

Epatante was third, 10 lengths back of winner Honeysuckle in the fixture. But there is a positive history there for her.

She is a three-time Grade 1 winner including the 2020 Champion Hurdle.

Epatante easily has enough to make her presence felt on Friday.

But can Nicky Henderson get that extra bit of spark out of her as she hasn’t been the force that she was in the previous campaign? yet.

The rest of the runners

ASPIRE TOWER is another good hurdler and he is a former course and distance winner as well. He climbed fourth at the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Aspire Tower has won three times at 2m over the hurdles on the easier ground, so he’s not without possibilities on Friday.

He did look as if he gave it his all at Cheltenham and still came up a little short. He is not an unreasonable option in terms of being competitive for a place finish.

DARVER STAR was third in last year’s Champion Hurdle. He has been trying his hand at the bigger stuff and hasn’t been able to make an impact there. Darver Star looks to have plenty to find.

JASON THE MILITANT won at Grade 3 at Fairyhouse in February. On his follow up he was in the Aintree Hurdle three weeks ago and could not hold on to his rider. That was early so it’s not clear how well he could have done.

Predictions & Tips for Punchestown Champion Hurdle Racing Odds

We just can’t see anyone getting the better of HONEYSUCKLE on the day. Not if she is at her best, which there’s no reason why she wouldn’t be.

The 4/6 favourite just looks too hard to beat* (odds recorded at 21:09 GMT on April 27th, 2021 at Paddy Power).

So who gets the places? We think there is something here for the reliable SHARJAH to make another run at the places after a good Champion Hurdle challenge at Cheltenham.

Built ABACADABRAS just gets the nod from us to be the one most likely to complete the forecast in second place. He enters on the back of a career-best and looks pretty game at the moment

Paddy Power Money Back Special

Paddy Power are running a Money back Special offer for the champion Hurdle on Friday at Punchestown.

Get money back as a free bet on all losers if a UK trained horse wins the Champion Hurdle.

The two horses in the field that are UK trained are Epatante and Goshen. So if either of those win, then Paddy Power will refund lost stakes on all losers.

Applies to the win part of each-way singles only.

There is a maximum free bet of £10 per customer. T&Cs apply. Applies to the Champion Hurdle, 30/04/2021.

Key Terms & Conditions

The promotion is available for new and existing customers with registered Paddy Power accounts, aged 18 or over

Money back as a free bet on all losers if a UK trained horse (Epatante & Goshen) wins the 17:25 Punchestown Friday 30th April. Applies from 2pm, 28th April. Applies to singles placed pre-race only.

Extra racing markets, enhanced prices & In-Running bets do not apply for this promotion. Applies to win singles and the win part of each-way singles only (up to £10 win). Does not apply to bets placed in shops.

Max free bet refund £10 per customer per race. Free bet will be available to use on any horse racing market for 7 days from when it is credited. Free bet stake not included in any subsequent winnings.

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