Epatante hard to beat in Mares Champion Hurdle

Punchestown, Saturday, 30 April: On the last day of the Punchestown Festival, great sport will be on offer once again.

In the Group 1 Mares Champion Hurdle (3rd race/16.50pm/125,000 Euro/4023m), Epatante (Aidan Coleman) will be looking to round off her successful season with a twelfth career win. The eight-year-old, beaten only by Honeysuckle at Cheltenham, will primarily be up against Telmesomethinggirl (Rachael Blackmore), who recently had to break away on the way in the Mares Hurdle and concede victory to Marie`s Rock (Nico de Boinville).

Another classic test will take place with the Four Year Old Hurdle (5th race/18.00 h/125,000 Euro/3218 m). A new duel is looming between Vauban (Paul Townend) and Fil Dor (Davy Russell). In the Triumph Hurdle (Group 1) at Cheltenham, the Mullins protégé won easily against Fil Dor, who easily kept fifth-placed Il Etait Temps (B. Cooper) at bay.

Does Native Trail`s winning streak last in the 2000 Guines?

Newmarket, Saturday 30 April: The first classic for horses of the Derby year takes place today on the second day of the Guineas Festival at Newmarket.

In the 2000 Guineas (5th race/16.40/1609m) the favourite is quickly found by Native Trail (William Buick). Still unbeaten in five starts, the Godolphin colt was also a force in his seasonal debut in the Craven Stakes (Group 3), distancing his nearest rival by three and a half lengths. The Charlie Appleby-trained Oasis-Dream son is supported by Corobeus (James Doyle), who has already celebrated two major victories here. The Royal Blues have to watch out for Perfect Power (Christophe Soumillon). Two of his five wins have come in the Middle Park Stakes (Group 1) and in his season debut in the Greenham Stakes (Group 3) over Lusail (Pat Dobbs). Aidan O`Brien is represented by two chances. Point Lonsdale (Frankie Dettori) pleased when second in the National Stakes (Group 1) behind the superior Native Trail. Luxembourg (Ryan Moore) advanced to a classic winner in the Futurity Trophy Stakes. Eydon (David Egan) and Checkandchallenge (Daniel Tudhope) are recommended by their fresh successes.

Mülheim: Delayed start to 2022 season

Mülheim, Saturday, 30 April 2022: Actually, there should have been one or the other race day in Mülheim during the winter, but now the 2022 season opener at Raffelberg will only start in full swing again on Saturday. Eight tests will be offered between 1:30 and 5 pm.

The highlight is an Equalisation II over 1,400 metres. Danelo (E. Pedroza) and Honore Daumier (L. Wolff) have already crossed blades. The former certainly deserves preference at the moment. Star Gypsy (S. Terachi) can also win once more. This also applies to the ex-series winner Olidaya (S. Vogt).

10,000 Euros stand over the four-horse bet of the 7th race (Equalisation IV, 2,950 m). Orbit King (S. Byrne) could make up for the last narrowly missed success.