Irish Champion Hurdle

Willie Mullins' record-breaking Cheltenham winner Poniros has earned a spot in the upcoming Champion Hurdle following a third-place finish in the Irish Champion Hurdle. The five-year-old horse, owned by Tony Bloom, showed enough promise despite a 14-and-a-half length defeat to convince his connections to target the Festival. Racing manager Sean Graham highlighted limited options but remains optimistic about the horse's potential.