SBK Irish EBF Mares Champion Hurdle
Grade 1, Punchestown 16:15 €125,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 2m 2f, Class 1
Tweet Saturday 2nd May 2026

1 Place De La Nation 10/1
2 Jade De Grugy 6/4
3 Wodhooh 8/11F
4 ran Distances: 1½l, 4½l, 74l
Time: 5m 7.10s (slow by 4.30s)

Place De La Nation takes down the big two in the Mares Champion Hurdle 👀@sbk | @IrishEBF_ | @punchestownrace pic.twitter.com/09aeGcJXCH

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 2, 2026

Place De La Nation provided Willie Mullins and Danny Mullins with a notable success, upsetting the market leaders with a performance of well-timed precision.

The five-year-old, sent off at 10/1, arrived with solid form but was overshadowed in the betting by Gordon Elliott’s Cheltenham heroine Wodhooh and her old rival Jade De Grugy, who dominated the market at 8/11 and 6/4 respectively.

As anticipated, the two principals took each other on from an early stage, engaging in a prolonged duel for the lead that shaped the race. Turning for home, Wodhooh appeared to have gained the upper hand, only for Jade De Grugy to rally once more and keep the pressure on.

However, their battle left the door ajar. Place De La Nation, having been ridden with patience, crept into contention on the outer and produced a decisive challenge at the final flight.

As Wodhooh began to weaken, the race developed into a contest between the Mullins pair, but it was Place De La Nation who found the greater reserves, lengthening clear on the run-in to score by a length and a half.

Danny Mullins said: “She looked to have a good chance, ran well at Cheltenham, her form was good.

“We weren't sure who was going to make it, my filly was a little bit cold early on, Wodhooh's one of the best mares around, Jade de Grugy, they are serious mares.

“My filly was all potential and luckily it all came together for me.”

Mares Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)
€125,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 2m 2f, Class 1
4 ran
Going: Yielding

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