Horse Racing tips: Walsh and Hickey's Mares Champion Hurdle picks

*Odds quoted on the widget are Future Racing/Antepost prices which means that if your selection does not run in the race for whatever reason, you will lose your stake under traditional antepost rules

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The Mares Champion Hurdle takes place at Punchestown on Saturday May 1. Willie Mullins’ Concertista will likely set off as favourite but can the seven-year-old be beaten?

Paddy Power Trader Frank Hickey and top pundit Ruby Walsh assess the field on the latest edition of Paddy Power’s From the Horses Mouth podcast, ahead of next week’s showcase Festival that brings the curtain down on the Irish jumps season.

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Saturday May 1 – Mares Champion Hurdle

Speaking on the latest episode of From the Horses Mouth podcast, Ruby said: “Concertista‘s the one, there’s no doubt about it. Burning Victory, Telmesomethinggirl and Stormy Ireland have looked good, but I don’t think they’ve got enough to top Concertista. I still don’t think Concertista has achieved as much as other mares for Willie Mullins but she is good enough to win this race.”

Paddy Power Trader Frank Hickey added: “Concertista will go off favourite here but Telmesomethinggirl would be a big danger were she to run. She has won over 2m 4f and was hugely impressive in the Mares Novice Hurdle.

“If it is really strongly run, would that be a worry for Concertista? This track would suit her better but it definitely looked like she was outstayed in the Mares hurdle at Cheltenham.

“She had only beaten Minella Melody going into Cheltenham and I don’t think she is of the level of Annie Power, Quevega or Benie Des Dieux. That means she isn’t one I would be rushing to take a short price about.”

Frank talked up Skyace, however, he reckons Telmesomethinggirl is the most likely threat to Concertista in the Saturday showdown.

He said: “Skyace is also worth keeping an eye on. She did what trainer Shark Hanlon said she would do when she won the Grade 1 novice hurdle over this trip at Fairyhouse. I still can’t see why she should reverse Cheltenham form with Telmesomethinggirl, though.”

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Frank admitted he’ll be looking to back My Sister Sarah – another Willie Mullins runner – in an each-way flutter.

He added: “Maybe My Sister Sarah might run in a handicap, but I would be interested if she ran in this. She wasn’t disgraced in the Mares Hurdle when fifth, beaten 11 lengths.

“I’m pretty sure she is a good deal better going right handed. She’s 0-6 going left handed and didn’t even hit the places in any of those six starts. Her record going right handed is four wins and four seconds from nine starts.

“She is two from two at Punchestown as well, winning her maiden hurdle very easily and bolting up in a handicap hurdle at the 2019 festival over 3m. She has a decent record on good ground and she hasn’t got it since that Punchestown festival win. There’s a lot to like at a big price if she runs here.”

*Odds quoted on the widget are Future Racing/Antepost prices which means that if your selection does not run in the race for whatever reason, you will lose your stake under traditional antepost rules