The Morgiana Hurdle (Sunday 19 November) is a 2-mile Grade 1 Hurdle Race run at Punchestown in Ireland. It has a fantastic role of honour, headed by three-time winners Limestone Lad and Hurricane Fly, whilst it has also been won by Champion Hurdlers Brave Inca and Hard Eustace, and Champion Stayers Hurdlers Solwhit and Nicholls Canyon.
10-Year-Trends
- Winners have been aged between 5 and 11
- Winners have been rated between 155 and 175
- Hurricane Fly is the shortest-priced winner at 1/16
- Hardy Eustace was the longest-priced winner at 14/1
- Willie Mullins has trained the last 6 winners
- Ruby Walsh has ridden 5 of the last 6 winners
- 5 of the last 10 favourites have won, but three odds-on favourites have been beaten
The Morgiana Hurdle: Main Contenders
Faugheen
The 2015 Champion Hurdler won his first 10 races, but was defeated in the 2015 renewal of this race at odds of 1/6 by stable companion Nicholls Canyon, on what was his seasonal debut. That suggests he could be vulnerable again first-time out this season, especially as this will be his first race since January 2016.
Jezki
The 2014 Champion Hurdler was also turned-over at odds-on in the 2014 renewal of this race, though that was by three-time winner and dual Champion Hurdle winner Hurrican Fly. He was also beaten in the 2015 Champion Hurdle by Faugheen, and looked out of sorts for most of last season. However, looked more like his old self when winning on this season’s seasonal debut, and his form figures at Punchestown are 1/1/2/1.
Campeador
Looked like he might have won at both last season’s Cheltenham and Fairyhouse Festivals, but for falling, and finally got off the mark on this season’s debut when winning a handicap off a mark of 145 off top-weight. This would be a big step-up in class, but this strong-traveller could be the type to take it in his stride. Jockey Barry Geraghty may have an interesting choice of whether to ride him or Jezki.
Melon
Trainer Willie Mullins is often mob-handed in this race, and Melon would be a big-player judged on his defeat of Coquin Mans on his seasonal debut where he beat that horse further than Jezki had the time before. He also arrived with a big reputation last season and, though he slightly tarnished that reputation by finishing second at the Cheltenham and Punchestown Festivals, he’s just the type to improve massively in his second season in the hands of the Irish Champion Trainer.
Cilaos Emery
Another possible for Willie Mullins, and this one actually beat Melon at the Punchestown Festival, despite finishing behind him at Cheltenham. However, it’s notable that Ruby Walsh has always chosen to ride Melon in preference to him, and he’s not had a prep-race.
Our Betting Tip for the The Morgiana Hurdle
It’s no surprise to see the brilliant Faugheen at odds-on in the ante-post market but, though he’s got by far the best form, you’re taking a big risk that he’ll produce his best after such a lengthy absence, especially as he has been beaten in the race before. Meanwhile, Jezki may have been flattered by his last win as he was getting 7lb from the second, who Melon beat further next time despite getting less weight from that horse than Jezki had. Therefore, as Melon is a much bigger-price than Jezki, it could be worth taking an each-way chance on Melon making it 7 consecutive wins in the race for Willie Mullins.
Tip: Melon