Time for Tea to stir the pot

THE Paddy Power Champion Hurdle is all about Honeysuckle today, but Teahupoo can give her plenty to think about.

She’s an exceptional mare, she’s undefeated and she’s going to be very hard to beat.

We were disappointed with Teahupoo at the Cheltenham Festival. Maybe he didn’t travel great or the ground was a bit quick for him, but he’s an awful lot better than that run.

His form against Darasso at Gowran Park is very strong. I’d like to think he can definitely chase Honeysuckle home or maybe even give her a fright.

He’s a horse with plenty of ability. We’ve got to go out there with a positive attitude, hopefully we can feature and he gives it a good shot at a bit of a price.

It will be my last ride before I hang up the saddle for good so it would be nice to go out on a big note.

There’s been a lot said about Constitution Hill not lining up in this race, but I believe it is the right decision.

When you’re a novice, you’re a novice. You don’t see a football manager bringing a minor player into the senior team in their minor year. That doesn’t happen.

Nicky Henderson wasn’t happy with him and if the horse is not right, there’s no point in running him.

The Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle is a very good renewal of the race. What State Man did at Cheltenham was unbelievable in only his third run over hurdles for Willie Mullins.

To go and win a County Hurdle like that was a mighty performance and he should be very hard to beat.

I think his biggest danger could be Flame Bearer for Pat Doyle.

He has won his last three and overcame all sorts of trouble in running to win at Fairyhouse over Easter.

I think stepping up to two and a half miles will definitely suit him, but I do fancy State Man to win.

I ride Rapid Response in the Mares Chase. She’s having her first start for a long time. She’ll be campaigned all during the summer. She’s a very good mare and won the Mares Handicap Chase at this festival last year, but it’ll be a tough task to beat Elimay.

French Dynamite beat Ciel De Neige in Thurles in his last start, he won his beginners chase very impressively and I think he’s a good value bet in the EMS Copiers Novice Handicap Chase.