*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Sharjah faces four rivals as he bids to become the most successful horse in the history of the Grade 1 Matheson Hurdle.
Willie Mullins’ reliable jumper is hunting a fifth successive victory in the race but a pair of emerging stablemates – County Hurdle hero State Man and Triumph Hurdle winner Vauban – are threatening a changing of the guard.
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Gordon Elliott is represented by WKD Hurdle scorer Pied Piper and the five-runner field for Thursday’s 14:20 is completed by outsider She Is Electric.
Matheson Hurdle odds can be found on the Paddy Power website, Paddy Power app or via our snazzy betting widgets, otherwise Timeform’s horse-by-horse guide to the runners and betting tips from the racing boffins are below.
Matheson Hurdle runners
Pied Piper
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: J. W. Kennedy Age: 4 Weight: 11st 12lbs
Useful hurdler. 1/8, didn’t need to be at best when winning 4-runner WKD Hurdle at Down Royal (16.9f, soft) 55 days ago by 3¼ lengths from David Garrick, easily. Remains open to improvement and hard to dismiss back up in grade.
**
Sharjah
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: Mr P. W. Mullins Age: 9 Weight: 11st 12lbs
High-class hurdler. 4 lengths second of 4 to State Man in Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown (16.4f, good to soft, 5/2) 39 days ago. Bidding for a remarkable fifth straight win in this.
***
State Man
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: P. Townend Age: 5 Weight: 11st 12lbs
Promising type. Career best when winning 4-runner Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown (16.4f, good to soft, 4/9) 39 days ago by 4 lengths from Sharjah, travelling strongly. Chance is there for all to see.
*****
Vauban
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: D. E. Mullins Age: 4 Weight: 11st 12lbs
Highly promising individual. 4/11, career best when winning 6-runner Champion Juvenile Hurdle at Punchestown (16f, soft) by 4 lengths from Fil Dor when last seen, cruising clear. Off 8 months. Big player.
****
She Is Electric
Trainer: Norman Lee Jockey: R. P. Geoghegan Age: 7 Weight: 11st 5lbs
Fairly useful hurdler. 2 wins from 5 runs this season. 13/2, bit below form 11 lengths fourth of 8 to Fennor Cross in Sharp Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham (16.4f, good to soft) 46 days ago.
*
Matheson Hurdle tips
Timeform: Willie Mullins holds a strong hand and the classy STATE MAN is fancied to continue his progress and hold off his younger stablemate Vauban. The third of his representatives, Sharjah, was comfortably held by the selection last time but is likely to be closer to his best now as he seeks a fifth straight win in this Grade 1.
Read More
- Gallop over to Paddy Power News for all the latest horse racing tips
- When is the Matheson Hurdle? Leopardstown date, start time, runners and betting