Classic continues on the up with Grade 1 win

After a Willie Mullins 1-2 in the preceding heat Gordon Elliott struck back immediately in race three at Punchestown when Champagne Classic (14/1) landed the spoils under Bryan Cooper in the Grade 1 Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle.

All was not lost for Mullins as he supplied the second and third home, Penhill (the patiently ridden favorite) and Tin Soldier

Famously under-appreciated by Michael O'Leary after his Cheltenham win, Champagne Classic, a former point-to-point winner, is a horse on the up and he enjoyed this three mile assignment.

He stuck on too powerfully up the run-in to beat the aforementioned Penhill and Tin Soldier, by two and a quarter lengths and half a length.

They left Monalee nine and a half lengths back in fourth whilst second favourite Presenting Percy could manage no better than sixth.

Like Champagne Fever, Champagne Classic started off in the point-to-point field for Roisin Hickey and her husband Thomond O'Mara. Both horses are by Stowaway and O'Mara was recently in the news after a huge breeze up success.

Decisive in the trainer's title race? Champagne Classic does the business for @gelliott_racing in the @IrishMirror Novice Hurdle: pic.twitter.com/E9zgEAANkX

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) April 26, 2017

"He did it well — the better ground definitely brought out the best in him," said Cooper.

"Camilla (Sharples, leading up) said here that he'd win and she was right.

"Gordon prepped him really well. He was a good winner at the Cheltenham festival and he's stepped up to Grade 1 company and done it well.

"He's a fantastic horse to win a Grade 1 and win at the Cheltenham festival — it's great placing by Gordon."

Elliott himself commented: "I'm surprised he won but he's a nice horse and he's going to be a nice chaser. He keeps trying and he seems to like that better ground."

He also stated: "Labaik is Jack's (Kennedy) ride and will still be Jack's ride after Friday but we needed to try something different and Davy Russell will ride him on Friday.

"I can't guarantee that he is going to start on Friday but hopefully he will and when he does he's a very good horse."

Paddy Power go 20/1 first show about Champagne Classic for the RSA Chase.

(AM & EM)