Expert analysis as Abacadabras bids to confirm superiority over Saint Roi

2.25 Leopardstown
Matheson Hurdle (Grade 1)| 2m | 4yo+ | RTE2/ITV4/RTV

The Morgiana Hurdle in some ways left us with more questions than answers but this Christmas treat should help to establish the two-mile hurdling pecking order in Ireland.

Supreme Novices' Hurdle second Abacadabras landed a second Grade 1 in that Punchestown prize six weeks ago, but the apparently luckless Saint Roi, who was beaten just a neck after getting going late in the day, seemed to garner most attention after the race.

However, Abacadabras didn't have everything in his favour either. The Gordon Elliott-trained winner's jumping was not always entirely convincing and a stronger run race in which he can arrive on the scene late on is surely more suitable than the tactical test he encountered last time.

Saint Roi has always been held in high regard by the Willie Mullins camp and looked a Champion Hurdle contender in the making when bolting up off a mark of 137 in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham, where he got the better of subsequent Galway Hurdle winner and stablemate Aramon.

After coasting home on his seasonal bow at Tipperary, he stepped up top-level company at Punchestown and he is bound to improve for the run.

With Epatante having blotted her copybook at Kempton on Saturday, the door is open for one of these contenders to mark themselves out as genuine threats to last year's Champion Hurdle heroine. Saint Roi is a top-priced 11-2 with SkyBet for Cheltenham and Abacadabras is a general 6-1.

Saint Roi: a top-priced 11-2 for the Unibet Champion HurdleCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

The much-anticipated rematch may overshadow the fact Sharjah is seeking his third consecutive win in this race, and Patrick Mullins' mount is no back number now returning to his favourite stamping ground.

This will be the seven-year-old's fourth Christmas appearance in a row at Leopardstown, but his first without having a prep run beforehand. However, that is of no concern because of the nature of his summer campaign, according to Mullins, who also sends out the talented but possibly fragile Saldier, who is undoubtedly capable of mixing it at the highest level over hurdles.

Aspire Tower had Abacadabras's measure when they met at Down Royal in October, while Coeur Sublime traded as low as 1.69 in running when making a sweeping move in the Morgiana before finishing fourth and is expected to progress a fair deal from that and arrive on the scene later.

Aspire Tower: got the better of Abacadabras in the WKD Hurdle at Down RoyalCredit: Patrick McCann

Beacon Edge, trained by Noel Meade, handled the step into open Grade 1 company well when third to Honeysuckle in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle but could be most effective over a longer trip.

The eight-strong field is completed by Petit Mouchoir, who makes his debut for Gordon Elliott. Two of his three wins over hurdles have come in Grade 1s at Leopardstown.

Mullins: we need to get tactics right with Saint Roi

Nobody has a better record in the Matheson Hurdle than Willie Mullins. The champion trainer is bidding to make it eight wins with one of his three-strong team this year and is hoping the Morgiana Hurdle form can be reversed with a different tactical approach.

"We need to have our tactics better than we did last time with Saint Roi," he said. "We didn't get things right but hopefully we'll do better and get it right with him this time."

Saldier is making his first start for just over 58 weeks and is set to be partnered by Paul Townend. Mullins said: "This is a hard place for him to start back for his first run of the season in a Grade 1 but I need to get him back to the track.

Saldier: making his first start since winning last year's Morgiana HurdleCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"I've done all I can at home with him and I think getting racecourse experience into him will be a help."

Mullins is not ruling out a bold bid from course specialist Sharjah, and said: "He had a summer campaign this year and wasn't coming into us off grass so we're going straight here without a run beforehand. He's working well and is in good form so I'd be confident he can run a nice race. He obviously likes Leopardstown."

What they say

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Abacadabras and Petit Mouchoir
Abacadabras is in great shape. For all that he won last time at Punchestown, things didn't exactly go as smoothly as they could for him on the day and he can certainly jump better than he did. This is a proper race and we'll find out a bit more about him but we wouldn't swap him for anything. Petit Mouchoir is a very solid horse who's a regular in these races and he's settled in well. I'd expect him to come on for whatever he does here.

Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Aspire Tower
He's in good form and it was always the plan for him to come here after Down Royal.

Gearoid O'Loughlin, trainer of Coeur Sublime
He ran a lovely race in the Morgiana and my horses tend to improve. He has a few pounds to find on ratings but I couldn't be happier with him.

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