Champion Novices Hurdle

A Grade One race ran over two miles for novice hurdlers aged five and above.

2009 Result

Hurrican Fly justiied odds on favouritism to run away with this Grade One Novice Champion Hurdle with considerable ease. Held up by jockey, Ruby Walsh, the four year old burst through with a hurdle to go and absolutely proved his class betond any doubt. Second was Kempes, who made it a one-two for trainer, Willie Mullins, while third home was Riverside Theatre. Go Native, who won the Supreme Novices Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival could find nothing up the run in and finished in fourth place. Hurricane Fly's performance seriously impressed the bookmakers, some of whom have made him as short as 7/2 favourite for the 2010 Champion Hurdle.

  • 1st Hurricane Fly, W Mullins, R Walsh, 4-6 Fav 
  • 2nd Kempes, W Mullins, D Casey, 12-1 
  • 3rd Riverside Theatre, N Henderson, B Geraghty, 14-1.

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Champion Novice Hurdle Form

The following are thought to be the leading contenders for what could be an outstanding Day One of the Punchestown Festival.