Only 6 horses will go to post for the final Grade 1 of the Punchestown festival, but the principles are well matched on their Cheltenham festival efforts, and it is very hard to get away from the Triumph hurdle winner VAUBAN. A Listed winner on the Flat in France for Phillipe Decouz, the drying conditions have brought out significant improvement with wins at the DRF and then at Cheltenham. The Triumph hurdle became a sprint from the 2nd last and that favoured his flat speed, which looks likely to be a similar setup in a small field where there is no obvious early pace. If we were to take the Official ratings literally, Vauban has 6lbs in hand on his nearest rival Fil Dor, who he beat by 2-lengths in the Triumph and on this galloping track, there is no reason to believe that form won’t be upheld here.
