The difference a big race win can make is well illustrated by the fact that Punjabi, who was a 22-1 chance when winning the Smurfit Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, is likely to start at a r o u n d 6 - 4 t o n i g h t f o r the Irish version, the Rabobank Champion Hurdle, at Punchestown.

There is no doubt the Nicky Henderson-trained horse, who is a smart Flat performer, too, is entitled to lead the market after his gutsy display when winning a hard-fought duel up the Cheltenham hill to hold off Celestial Halo by a neck and if he repeats that form he is likely to complete a memorable double. There is no problem with the course, either, as he won this race last year. If there any vulnerability in his make-up it could lie in the effects of such a hard race at the Festival and possibly ground that seems much softer than he has tackled.

The battle with Celestial Halo was certainly fierce and nobody can tell if it has left a mark until the horse goes into the next race. As far as the going is concerned, Henderson's star is well capable of giving of his best on a soft surface but, as has been amply demonstrated this week, especially by Notre Pere's runaway Guinness Gold Cup win, the ground at the Irish track is exceptionally demanding.

Punjabi might well sweep those doubts aside but at the available odds it may be worth looking for one to beat him.

You can never discount the old warrior, Hardy Eustace, but the two main rivals are Queveca and Solwhit. The former has run only five times this season and comes to this fresher than most. The mare has also posted some fine performances, most notably in the David Nicholson Hurdle at Cheltenham when she beat a smart staying mare, United, by 14 lengths. She goes on heavy ground, too, and her stamina may be very useful in the closing stages of this race.

Solwhit, who was third in the Irish Cesarewitch last year, has made a highly promising start to his jumping career this season, having won three of his five races, all of them in slow ground, climaxing in the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle last time out.

His trainer, Charles Byrne, had intended keeping his fiveyear- old off track until next year before tackling the top performers, but Solwhit (5.30) may back his change of mind by winning this.

Willie Mullins, who is having a great week, appears to be saddling both Mikael D'Haguenet (6.05) and Cousin Vinny for the Land-Rover Novices Champion Hurdle and that makes for a tricky decision as they are both smart. However, the former, winner of all his races this season, has to be followed until the run ends.

At Musselburgh, the valuable Pommery Champagne Bar Conditions Stakes numbers some useful sprinters in the field. Any one of the nine could win and, with four course-and-distance winners involved, the race needs some unravelling.

One of that quartet, Fol Hollow (4.05) has already won twice this term, at Beverley and Naas, and could defy a further 8lb rise by making it three in a row.

Another course winner, Dispol Grand (2.20) has a winning chance in the opener, the Cornhill Building Services Handicap. Selections Punchestown 5.30 Solwhit 6.05 Mikael D'Haguenet Musselburgh 2.20 Dispol Grand 4.05 Fol Hollow Fiveforthree proved three miles was well within his compass when running out an easy winner of the Ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle at Punchestown yesterday. The Willie Mullins inmate was sent off as the 5-4 market leader and was held up by Ruby Walsh on his first try at the trip. The seven-year-old cruised up to join Pettifour soon after turning for home and was never troubled, eventually scoring by seven lengths.