Soldier sent into battle on worse terms with old rival Classic

At The Races Michael Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle (Grade 3) | 5yo+, 2m4f69y | ATR

Champagne Classic returns to Thurles seeking back-to-back wins at the track following an easy victory in a 2m6½f maiden two weeks ago.

The Gordon Elliott-trained six-year-old is entered for the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham and will be renewing rivalry with Tin Soldier, who beat him by one and a quarter lengths when they clashed over three miles at Fairyhouse last month.

Elliott said: "Dropping down in trip isn't going to be ideal for Champagne Classic but he's in good form and will handle the ground."

Willie Mullins, trainer of Tin Soldier, also has concerns about the trip for his Albert Bartlett entry who meets Champagne Classic on 8lb worse terms compared with their clash at Fairyhouse.

"He needed all of the three miles when he won his maiden, so the shorter distance could be a problem," Mullins said.

Noel Meade believes an improved round of jumping would put his Moulin A Vent in with a good chance.

"His jumping let him down badly at Navan last time and will need to be a lot better this time," said the trainer. "We've done plenty of loose schooling with him since and he's in good form."

The five-year-old has entries for the Neptune and Albert Bartlett Hurdles at the festival.

Justmemyselfandi, winner of a 2m2f maiden at Leopardstown on his most recent start, holds the same two entries at Cheltenham and his trainer Liz Doyle said: "He's in good form but a lot will depend on how he copes with the testing conditions.

"His form picked up on better ground on his last two starts, so we'll have to see if he can maintain his improvement on heavy ground."

Black Key, trained by Henry de Bromhead and placed on two of his three starts over hurdles, novice winner Indian Monsoon, representing Charles Byrnes, and the Seamus Neville-trained Ask Nile complete the seven-runner line-up.