Vauban still the one to beat as he takes on Fil Dor for third time in Grade 1

Ballymore Champion Four Year Old Hurdle (Grade 1) | 2m | 4yo | RTE1/RTV

Is it an open-and-shut case for Vauban to secure a third Grade 1 win of the season and confirm his superiority over Fil Dor?

Three lengths separated the pair when Vauban landed the Spring Juvenile Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival and, while the gap was reduced slightly to two and a half lengths in the Triumph, most people can't see past Willie Mullins' juvenile confirming himself the best four-year-old hurdler.

The ray of hope for connections of Fil Dor going to Cheltenham was that the track would play to the strengths of their runner, given he stays so well, but the same can't be said of Punchestown and the speed test looks like it will favour the short-priced favourite.

While it looks a match, Mullins' Il Etait Temps has a big engine and, once he channels his energy in the right direction, will win plenty of races.

HMS Seahorse ran a huge race to be fourth in the Boodles at Cheltenham and, while this represents a big step up in grade, he could chase the top two home.

Townend: Vauban will be very hard to beat

Paul Townend bids to end the season on a high with victory on Vauban in the final Grade 1 race of the Punchestown festival.

Townend said: "He's hugely exciting and has progressed with every run over hurdles. He isn't the finished article yet but he was well on top winning the Triumph Hurdle and a reproduction of that should be good enough. If we get a bit of luck with him, I think he'll be very hard to beat."

What they say

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Fil Dor
He seems to be in good form. It's not going to be easy against Vauban but I think a drop of rain would suit us well. I haven't discussed it with his owners yet but I'd imagine it's possible he could go over fences next season.

Paul Nolan, trainer of HMS Seahorse
He ran very well in the Boodles at Cheltenham. You never really know until you turn out again but he seems to be in good form. On ratings, he's going to have to improve but we'd be delighted if he could run well and get into the placings.

Paul Fahey, trainer of Man O Work
He won nicely at Limerick last time. He's a homebred for owner Charles O'Reilly, who loves Punchestown and is chairman of the Kildare Hunt. It'd be fantastic for him to have this horse run well in a Grade 1 at the festival. I don't think Man O Work will disgrace himself.

John McConnell, trainer of Innatendue
We won't mind if she breaks her maiden in a Grade 1 but, realistically, it looks a tough race and we'd be delighted if she could finish in the frame. There were only five in the race, so we said we'd declare and make it six. She's been a lovely little filly to get and for great owners. If she doesn't win here, she'll be a great filly to have for next year and there'll be a lot of fun to be had with her.

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