Old rivals Bapaume and Mega Fortune square up for fifth time

4.25 Punchestown
AES Champion Four Year Old Hurdle | Grade 1 | 4yo | 2m | RTE2/ATR

This race is another chapter in the engrossing battle for the trainers' championship, with Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott supplying five of the seven runners in this Grade 1, which Mullins will be attempting to win for the fifth consecutive year.

Bapaume leads Mullins' three-strong challenge while Mega Fortune is Elliott's main contender as the two horses clash for the fifth time, with very little between them on the book.

Mega Fortune was a short head in front of Bapaume when they finished second and third in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham last month, while in February Davy Russell's mount had Bapaume three and a half lengths behind in second place when landing the Grade 1 Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown.

On the two other occasions they met Bapaume finished in front of his rival, and Ruby Walsh is certainly hoping to get the better of the argument.

He said: "I think Bapaume was outstayed by Mega Fortune at Leopardstown and Cheltenham and I'm hoping we might be able to reverse the form on better ground and at Punchestown, which is an easier track."

Elliott, who will be seeking a first win in the race and is also represented by Dinaria Des Obeaux, said: "I was very happy with Mega Fortune at Cheltenham, where he was beaten by a very good horse in Defi Du Seuil.

"He'd prefer slower conditions but he should be fine on the ground. I would worry a bit that Punchestown might not suit him as well as Cheltenham given how well he stays, but we'll make plenty of use of him.

"Dinaria Des Obeaux looks up against it and if she can earn some prize-money we'll be happy."

Backing up Bapaume for Mullins are Dandy Mag, runner-up in a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse on his most recent start, and the filly Meri Devie, who won a maiden hurdle at Leopardstown's Christmas meeting before finishing fourth behind Mega Fortune and Bapaume in the Spring Juvenile Hurdle.

Landofhopeandglory, fifth in the Triumph Hurdle, has a win over Bapaume and Mega Fortune to his credit having beaten the pair in a Grade 3 at Fairyhouse in December.

His trainer Joseph O'Brien said: "He's been in very good form since Cheltenham. It looks very competitive but we're very happy with him and hoping for a good run."

Completing the line-up is the Michael Mulvany-trained On The Go Again, the mount of Rachael Blackmore.

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