Connections of Poniros retain their faith in another enormous Cheltenham Festival upset from their charge.
Willie Mullins‘ five-year-old stunned the racing world in the 2025 Triumph Hurdle. Having never previously raced over hurdles before, the son of Golden Horn won the Cheltenham day four opener at 100/1.
He was not simply taking advantage of a surprisingly weak race either. Under a canny ride by Jonjo O’Neill Jr, he defeated Lulamba, who is this year favourite for the Arkle.
Poniros then finished second to Lulamba at Punchestown, but was not seen again until the Irish Champion Hurdle last moth. He finished third to Brighterdaysahead, but connections are hoping that warm-up will bring his form on.
Some punters certainly believe so, as he has halved in price for the Champion Hurdle since that contest. There is also the chance that he will be Mullins’ first string in the race. Both Lossiemouth and Ballyburn have entries in other contests that they might pursue.
Tony Bloom and co to keep eye on Arkle result
In beating Lulamba last year, Poniros sent shockwaves through the sport.
Nevertheless, he was competitive with that rival again at Punchestown, albeit on the losing side. As such, Sean Graham, owner Tony Bloom’s racing manager, spoke to the Racing Post about how their focus will be on the Arkle before the Champion Hurdle.
“If Lulamba wins the Arkle with his head in his chest Poniros could shorten again…You have Poniros running to around 156 at Leopardstown last time. I think there could definitely be 7lb improvement in him for that run, which takes him up to 163.
“So he doesn’t have much to find with The New Lion, and he has about 7lb to find with Brighterdaysahead. If you think he can improve that 7lb, then he comes out better on the figures than Golden Ace.”
This mathematical approach may sway some. However, Graham believes his Leopardstown run, coupled with other factors potentially falling his way, demonstrates Poniros’ chances further.
“Given it was just his third run over hurdles that price was still probably a shade big. If Lossiemouth doesn’t run there’s probably a big chance Paul [Townend] would ride Poniros. I can understand the bookmakers being cautious about him.”
One thing is certain whether his chances are fancied or not: Poniros will run in the Champion Hurdle. With his stablemates’ participation up in the air, and others missing, Graham sounds bullish about another upset.
“He’s a definite runner…it was a case of the Champion Hurdle or nothing at Cheltenham, and in a year where you can question every horse in the race it’s worth taking a chance. He’s going to have to improve, but it’s probably one of the most open Champion Hurdles there’s been in a while.
“Whether he’s good enough or not, we’ll learn plenty about him.”