Mullins: Young Champion Hurdle pretenders 'will have Sharjah to get past first'

Patrick Mullins believes last year's Morgiana Hurdle winner Sharjah is the one to beat at Punchestown on Sunday (2.05) and is adamant that any contenders with Champion Hurdle ambitions must first get past the six-time Grade 1 winner this weekend.

Susannah Ricci's high-class hurdler will bid to join Limestone Lad and Hurricane Fly in becoming the only three-time Morgiana winners of the modern era, although he could be pushed to the limit by no fewer than five Grade 1-winning stablemates in the Unibet-backed prize.

Vauban, State Man and Sir Gerhard – third, fourth and fifth favourites for the Unibet Champion Hurdle – created a big impression as novices for Willie Mullins last season, but the record-breaking amateur rider insists Sharjah, despite being a 40-1 shot for Champion Hurdle success, sets the standard.