Teahupoo won the Punchestown Champion Stayers Hurdle in 2024 and 2025. He bids for a third consecutive win today at 18:05. Gordon Elliott applies first-time blinkers after a sixth-place finish in the Stayers Hurdle at Cheltenham in March. Home By The Lee — who dominated the staying hurdle division this spring, winning at Cheltenham and Aintree — does not run. The field is more open than it has been in recent years.
The Blinkers
Elliott applies first-time headgear today after Teahupoo's Cheltenham run where he "dropped to midfield eighth, ridden and outpaced before two out" — a performance well below his seasonal form. First-time blinkers at a major festival are not applied casually. Elliott has assessed that Teahupoo's Cheltenham underperformance was related to focus rather than ability and has made a specific tactical adjustment for today.
Timeform's published assessment backs the decision: "There are plenty of reasons to believe that Teahupoo can bounce back from his Cheltenham blip, notably the addition of first-time blinkers, and he's taken to land this race for the third consecutive season." The Read Horse Racing analyst also backs him, noting his Cheltenham run "can probably be upgraded a bit" given he did not have the clearest run in the closing stages.
Home By The Lee's Absence
Home By The Lee won the Cheltenham Champion Stayers Hurdle and the Aintree equivalent — the most dominant staying hurdler of the spring. He does not run at Punchestown. The horseracing.net preview confirms his absence directly. That withdrawal removes the horse rated above Teahupoo this season and makes today's race significantly more winnable for the hat-trick seeker.
The Other Dangers
Bob Olinger (Henry de Bromhead) is consistent at this level — chased home Teahupoo in the Christmas Hurdle and finished third at Cheltenham. Veteran quality but has won one of his last seven.
Kawaboomga (Willie Mullins, Mark Walsh) — the jockey switch is the most interesting market signal. Walsh gets off Honesty Policy to ride Kawaboomga. A Grade 1 novice hurdle winner whose form has been described as closely tied to Supreme hero Kopek Des Bordes. The Read Horse Racing analyst identifies the Walsh switch specifically as a positive signal for Kawaboomga.
Crambo (British raider, Harry Cobden) — dual Long Walk Hurdle winner. British challenger at a meeting that traditionally favours Irish-trained horses.
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Facts verified via web search April 30 2026. Sources: Paddy Power News Day 3 runner guide, Timeform assessment, Sky Sports racecard Teahupoo form, Read Horse Racing Day 3 tips.