'This is a different test to the New course, it's sharper' - will Jasmin De Vaux's jumping hold up at Punchestown?

Can't jump, won't jump. That was the motto following Jasmin De Vaux around the place for most of the season as he clattered through hurdles left, right and centre in Grade 1s at Naas and Leopardstown, finishing well beaten in both. 

When he trailed in almost 18 lengths behind Final Demand at the Dublin Racing Festival in the second of those, it looked as though last year's Champion Bumper winner was never going to make a name for himself over hurdles. Then the Albert Bartlett came along. 

Whether it was the fact there are only two hurdles inside the final seven furlongs on the New course at Cheltenham, or that his jumping had improved through experience, Jasmin De Vaux was much the best in the Albert Bartlett and he made it two festival wins in a row in emphatic fashion. 

There was an error three out, but apart from that he was fine at getting from A to B. 

Patrick Mullins, who rides stablemate Jarrive De Mee here, remains concerned. "This is a different test to the New course," he said of Jasmin De Vaux. "Tighter; sharper; more jumping. He’ll need to continue the improvement in his jumping."

Maybe he is just getting the hang of it, though. There was absolutely nothing wrong with the way he negotiated the final flight at Cheltenham when The Big Westerner was chasing him down and a similar round of jumping should suffice here as he is 6lb clear on official ratings. 

Willie Mullins has farmed this Grade 1 lately, winning the last four in a row and seven of the last nine. The last Albert Bartlett winner to win this was The Nice Guy in 2022 but Minella Indo also did it in 2019. 

He is one of two Gold Cup winners to have landed this event in recent years as Galopin Des Champs was successful in 2021, while Gaelic Warrior was an impressive winner in 2023 so it is quite a stylish roll of honour. 

In addition to Jarrive De Mee, who is on a four-timer – albeit his three wins have been achieved in much lesser company – Mullins also saddles Luckinthecity and Argento Boy, who both appear to have it all to do on the figures. 

Honesty Policy is a rapid improver. He was bought by JP McManus after winning a novice hurdle at Leopardstown in early March and there was an instant return on that investment at Aintree, where he swooped late to get the better of Regent's Stroll by half a length in the Mersey Novices' Hurdle. 

The way he stormed home from the last to the line there suggests an extra half-mile will bring about further improvement. 

Honesty Policy's former owner Francis Mangan is represented by Cardcounter, who has a similar sort of profile to the youngster he used to own and the way he hit the line at Navan over 2m6f despite making a mess of the last, gives the impression this longer trip will also definitely suit. 

It all comes down to jumping. If Jasmin De Vaux's holds up, he should get the job done again.

Honesty Policy: Aintree winner expected to run wellCredit: Edward Whitaker

'He should relish the trip' - Honesty Policy leads Elliott charge 

It is eight years since Gordon Elliott sent out Champagne Classic to win a red-hot running of this Grade 1. Penhill, the Albert Bartlett winner who went on the land the Stayers' Hurdle, was second, while two-time Gold Cup hero Al Boum Photo was fifth and Presenting Percy was sixth.

This time around Elliott's three-pronged attack is spearheaded by Honesty Policy and the trainer said: "He's a tough young horse with a great attitude and he needed every yard of the trip to get up at Aintree. He should relish this trip and he has just kept improving from race to race. The ground should be fine for him, too. We're very hopeful of a big run."

Cardcounter is another stepping up in trip for Elliott, who said: "He's won his last two and deserves his shot in a race like this. He stays very well and is a lovely horse for the future."

Familiar Dreams completes the Elliott challenge, and the trainer added: "She's a very smart mare who ran well in a Grade 1 at Aintree last time. She won't be too far away here and she seems to like Punchestown, too."

Andy Slattery runs Fleur In The Park, who has finished runner-up in two Grade 2s. Slattery said: "It's the only race we can run him in this week as he doesn't qualify for the winner-of-one race today. I think he'll relish the trip and he ran a cracker at Fairyhouse. Chasing his definitely going to be his game and I can't wait to send him over fences next season. I'm pretty sure he'll outrun his odds here."

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