The selection fell three out in last year’s running of the race but was travelling every bit as well as the eventual winner
A fascinating race for the Punchestown Gold Cup on Wednesday was understandably overshadowed by the emotional farewell to Ruby Walsh that followed, but an outstanding renewal of the Festival meeting’s Champion Hurdle should have the stage all to itself on Friday evening as Apple’s Jade, Buveur D’Air, Supasundae and Melon go to post.
Three of the four are Grade One winners already: seven times in the case of Buveur D’Air, including two Champion Hurdles at Cheltenham, and 10 for Apple’s Jade, including a record-breaking 16-length success in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown in February. Supasundae, meanwhile, beat Buveur D’Air in the Grade One Aintree Hurdle just four weeks ago and took this race 12 months ago.
Related: Punchestown Festival: Surprise winning return for Unowhatimeanharry
Lingfield: 1.35 Narjes 2.05 Summer Flair 2.35 Strong Power 3.05 Charles Molson (nb) 3.35 Oloroso (nap) 4.10 Kachumba 4.45 Mutaraffa
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