15:50 Sat 29 April 2023

COOLMORE N.H. SIRES MOGUL IRISH EUROPEAN BREEDERS FUND MARES CHAMPION HURDLE (Annie Power) (Grade 1)

Distance 2m 3f 30y

Prize €125,000 Age 4yo+ Race State Declaration Runners 6

Going Good to Yielding (Yielding in places)

The Coolmore N.H. Sires Mogul Irish European Breeders Fund Mares Champion Hurdle, a Grade 1 race with a €125,000 prize, is set to take place over a distance of 2m 3f 30y, with the ground condition reported to be Good to Yielding (Yielding in places). Six top-class runners will vie for the prestigious title, with Harry Fry’s Love Envoi taking centre stage as the one to beat.

Love Envoi, trained by Harry Fry and ridden by Danny Mullins, boasts an impressive record, having won eight of her ten starts, including last season’s Festival Dawn Run. Fry expresses his anticipation to challenge for another Grade 1 win with Love Envoi, who finished as a runner-up on both occasions at this level. With Honeysuckle out of the race, Love Envoi is expected to be on her A-game against some formidable opponents. She sets the standard in this race, as she has previously beaten five of her rivals, including Brandy Love.

The main threats to Love Envoi’s victory come from the stables of W P Mullins. Echoes In Rain, ridden by Paul Townend, is a Grade 1 winner around this track as a novice. Despite having to find 5lb in the ratings, Townend has chosen to ride Echoes In Rain over Brandy Love, citing the right-handed track as a potential disadvantage for Brandy Love. Echoes In Rain is a very talented dual-purpose mare, but her racing style could prove too free for this event.

Brandy Love, another contender from W P Mullins, will be ridden by Mr P W Mullins. She ended her novice season by defeating Love Envoi in a 2m4f Grade 1 race at Fairyhouse last April. Brandy Love finished fifth at Cheltenham, behind three of her current rivals, and will need to reverse that form to pose a challenge.

Former Champion Hurdle winner, Epatante, trained by Nicky Henderson and ridden by Mark Walsh, could be an outside contender. Despite her previous success, she has not been at her best this season and has struggled against the likes of Constitution Hill. While racing manager Frank Berry hopes for a strong performance before her return home, it seems unlikely that Epatante will pose a significant threat to the frontrunners.

In conclusion, Love Envoi remains the top pick for the Coolmore N.H. Sires Mogul Irish European Breeders Fund Mares Champion Hurdle, with her consistent form and previous success at this level. Echoes In Rain and Brandy Love will likely pose the main threats, but Love Envoi’s proven record and determination to secure a Grade 1 victory make her the standout choice for the race.