Welcome To Punchestown 2011

KAUTO STAR and Nacarat are on course for an exciting clash  in the Guinness Gold Cup at Punchestown on May 4 after connections confirmed the Grade 1 3m contest is firmly in their plans.

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Kauto Star, said on Wednesday: "He will definitely go. He was entered this morning and the plan is to go as I think the race will suit him and he seems well in himself at present."

Kauto Star, third to Long Run in the King George VI Chase and Cheltenham Gold Cup on his latest two outings, has never run at Punchestown but has won on both his previous visits to Ireland for the Champion Chase at Down Royal.

Nacarat, who recorded his first Grade 1 triumph in the Totesport Bowl at Aintree last week, is likely to be among the opposition in a bid for another top-level success.

The ten-year-old made virtually all under Paddy Brennan on ground described as good to soft at Aintree and trainer Tom George is hoping for similar conditions at Punchestown.

"We are considering the Guinness Gold Cup for him," George said on Wednesday.

"It's a Grade 1 race with prize-money to match and it could be that he is onestep better going right-handed on better ground. We always thought he was best going right-handed and Paddy has mentioned that in the past."

Nacarat, who runs in the colours of Simon Clarke, produced a classy performance to beat Carole's Legacy by six lengths, while Kauto Star's stablemate Denman was 25 lengths back in fifth.

"The better ground brings out the best in him," George added. "He loves jumping off it and he is much happier. He has come out of Aintree unbelievably well.

"There is no point waiting until next December to find that we have heavy ground when this could be a chance on good ground.

"As it is, we have a month to see how he is and that is about the length of time he likes between his races. I know him well and he is a horse that I can get fresh quite quickly and easily athome. He is not a horse that takes a lot of work, so we can keep him happy."

Entries closed for the Guinness Gold Cup on Wednesday and will be revealed on Thursda

enjoy youselves boys ,i've been many times and a great place to go but it is simply too late to be jumping  now ....i don't know what we do with this moveable easter feast cramming in 3 festivals within weeks but it needs sorting .virtually a whole top level jumps season pressed into 2 months and this year p'town coincides with chester .ridiculous .

Sizing Europe is reported in “great form” by Henry de Bromhead as the Queen Mother Champion Chase hero starts his build up to the Punchestown Festival, where he'll be joined by another Cheltenham Festival winner Sizing Australia.
De Bromhead's stablestar has recovered well from his exertions at Prestbury Park, and is bang on target for the ****.com Champion Chase at Punchestown on May 3.

“He had a few easy weeks since Cheltenham, and we are starting to step things up again now,” said the Waterford handler, who is thinking of stepping Loosen My Load up in trip on the same card at Punchestown.

“I thought going to Cheltenham that two and a half miles was what Loosen My Load wanted. He ran a fine race when third in the Jewson, and the second (Wishfull Thinking) boosted the form when winning well at Aintree.

“I'm now thinking of stepping him up to three miles and a furlong in the Growise Champion Novice Chase,” added de Bromhead.

Sizing Australia kicked off what was to be a memorable Cheltenham for the yard when landing the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase on day one of the Festival. “He's very well, and has a number of options in cross country races at Punchestown. I'll have to chat with Andrew (Lynch) and the owners to see which race we go for

A look back at Punchestown...2004

EUSTACE KEEPS ROOSTER AT BAY
Hardy Eustace held off the late challenge of Rooster Booster to claim the Emo Oil Champion Hurdle.

COWBOY SCORES BY SEVEN LENGTHS
Rhinestone Cowboy was given a rapturous reception in a packed winner‘s enclosure after amateur J P Magnier brought the eight-year-old on steadily to come from behind and beat stablemate Iris‘s Gift by seven lengths in the Grade 1 Ballymore Properties Champion Stayers‘ Hurdle.

MOSCOW FINISHES CAMPAIGN WITH A FLYER
The mighty Moscow Flyer maintained his remarkable record of never being beaten when completing over fences after justifying 4/11 favouritism to hold off the persistent Rathgar Beau by two lengths in the Grade 1 ****.com Chase to the delight of trainer Jessica Harrington.

BEEF OR SALMON COMES GOOD
Beef Or Salmon bounced back to his very best to land a great renewal of the EUR180,000 Grade 1 Heineken Gold Cup, the feature event on day two of the Irish National Hunt Festival at Punchestown today, coming home four lengths clear of Harbour Pilot.

INCA BATTLES BRAVELY
Brave Inca, who came home to rapturous applause after winning last month's Letheby & Christopher Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham, received a similar reception after getting the better of Aintree winner Royal Shakespeare in a photo for the Grade 1 Evening Herald Novices' Hurdle.

EUSTACE KEEPS ROOSTER AT BAY
Hardy Eustace held off the late challenge of Rooster Booster to claim the Emo Oil Champion Hurdle.

Dessie Hughes' seven-year-old, winner of the Smurfit Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, looked to be in trouble turning for home as Rooster Booster cruised up on the rail.

However, the 13-8 favourite was still some two lengths behind approaching the last flight and although Richard Johnson stoked him up for a determined effort, he could not catch Hardy Eustace, going down by a length.

Fota Island stayed on well to be third but was never a danger to the winner, who was sent off the 3-1 second favourite.

Hardy Eustace was confirming Cheltenham form with Rooster Booster, having beaten him five lengths at the Cotswolds track.

It wasn't all plain sailing for winning jockey Conor O'Dwyer as he was pushing from around four out as long-time leader Solerina began to step up the pace.

A couple of flicks with the whip put Hardy Eustace right back on terms, though, and he pressed on three flights from home as Solerina ran out of gas.

Johnson, who had settled Rooster Booster towards the back of the field, was going ominously well turning for home.

But Hardy Eustace found a bit extra and although Rooster Booster was pegging him back slowly on the run-in, he never looked like getting there.

COWBOY SCORES BY SEVEN LENGTHS
Rhinestone Cowboy was given a rapturous reception in a packed winner‘s enclosure after amateur J P Magnier brought the eight-year-old on steadily to come from behind and beat stablemate Iris‘s Gift by seven lengths in the Grade 1 Ballymore Properties Champion Stayers‘ Hurdle.

Trainer Jonjo O‘Neill was full of praise for Magnier‘s ride and said: "J P has never done anything wrong on this horse so I don‘t know why he has had stick from some people. He gave it a great spin today because the horse was getting a bit silly halfway through the race, he was just idling and fluffed one as a result.

" They went a decent gallop all the way and he got the trip well which was the worry beforehand."

Rhinestone Cowboy was also declared for tomorrow‘s Emo Oil Champion Hurdle but O‘Neill said: "At this stage he would be very unlikely to run although we could change our minds if he was bucking and kicking in the morning."

Iris‘s Gift was bidding to supplement wins at Cheltenham and Aintree and O‘Neill added: "He ran a great race but we have probably just gone to the well once too often with him. He‘ll be going over fences now."

There was a dramatic conclusion to the Grade 1 Swordlestown Cup Novice Chase when Colca Canyon fell at the last fence, bringing down 8/11 favourite Kicking King and leaving the two-mile event at the mercy of Say’Again, trained by Paul Nolan.

" We had a lucky escape from the carnage at the last and whether we would have won anyway I really don‘t know," said Nolan. "He had a bit of trouble early in his career so I‘ve never wanted to run him on fast ground. He‘s better with a bit of juice in the ground and this was beautiful today.

" We might try and pick up a bit of prize money on the Flat now as he‘s only rated about 65."

The veteran Wotsitooya bagged a valuable prize when holding off Timbera to take the EUR55,000 Castlemartin Stud Pat Taaffe Handicap Chase under Davy Russell by two and a half lengths.

" He‘s 12 years of age and I wondered if there were many more races in him," said winning trainer Michael O‘Brien. "He should have won a good race at Limerick earlier in the season but got disqualified when they went the wrong way so this was some compensation. Davy gets on really well with the horse."

O‘Brien felt Essex was an unlucky loser when third in the Grade 1 Colm McEvoy Auctioneers Champion 4YO Hurdle earlier in the day.

" He missed the third last and I think would have just about won but for that," said O‘Brien. "A couple of his owners come from Galway so we are planning to send him there for an amateur race on the first day of the Festival."

Willie Mullins was full of praise for jockey Ruby Walsh after he brought home Ballyamber to a 20-length success in the Masterchef‘s Hospitality Novice Chase.

" That was a brilliant tactical ride from Ruby," said Mullins. "Our horse is a front runner but so were four or five other ones in the race so we sat behind and Ruby knew they couldn‘t keep up the fast pace.

" I don‘t know where we‘ll go now but I think we‘ll keep him to two or two and a quarter miles."

Today‘s crowd at Punchestown was 18,234, up 4 per cent on last year‘s figure of 17,400.

BEEF OR SALMON COMES GOOD
Beef Or Salmon bounced back to his very best to land a great renewal of the EUR180,000 Grade 1 Heineken Gold Cup, the feature event on day two of the Irish National Hunt Festival at Punchestown today, coming home four lengths clear of Harbour Pilot.

Michael Hourigan's charge, who finished fourth to Best Mate in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup on his most recent start, has had a series of problems and the trainer paid credit to physiotherapist Liz Kent and eventer Sue Short for the success.

"He didn't jump in the first four races this season but still won two of them," said Hourigan. "But once we found the problem, Liz Kent, Sue Short and my daughter Kay did all the work. It's more a question of what didn't they do with him!

"Liz started working on him twice a week and then advised we bring in Sue to do dressage with him because that moves the whole body. They did some job with him. "I was hopeful that with a clear run he'd deliver the goods but I didn't think he'd do it so well. Timmy's very patient and given him a super ride there - he's a real professional.

"He certainly was not like he was today before Cheltenham, if he had been he would have finished a lot nearer for sure, I don't know if he'd have won but that's all history now.

"He'll get his holiday now and then next year I think we'd go down the same sort of road again, races like the Hennessy again."

The winner returned to a huge roar and an emotional Hourigan added: "Dorans Pride was wonderful but this one is better because he has more gears. I'm so fortunate to find another after Dorans Pride - you'd be lucky to find one in a lifetime - but I've found two.

"He had no problems at any stage today and it was over in two strides - he's that type of horse."

Jessica Harrington, who won Tuesday's feature ****.com Chase with Moscow Flyer, had her second success at the 2004 Festival when Willie The Shoe - a recent arrival at her local yard - took the opening Lemongrass Restaurants Handicap Hurdle.

The seven-year-old, owned by Tom Doran, had previously been with Michael Hourigan and Harrington said: "He's only been with me for about ten days and Michael has done all the work with him - I've just ticked him over. He'll campaign on through the summer on good ground."

Moscow Flyer returned home safe and sound after his win. "He's perfect and was out having a roll this morning," added Harrington.

Arch Stanton justified 2/1 favouritism in the Tattersalls (Ireland) Ltd Novice Hurdle when landing a smooth three and a half length success to put jockey Ruby Walsh and trainer Willie Mullins on the scoresheet for the week.

"It's good to get a winner on board," said Mullins. "He was a shade unlucky when second at Fairyhouse last time and I think he's finished jumping for the season, the ground is getting too quick for him now. But he might have one or two runs on the Flat."

Veteran trainer Paddy Mullins - who had his first Punchestown Festival winner more than 40 years ago - supplied 7lb-claiming rider Mark Watts with his first professional success when Hurry Bob held on to take the J F Dunne Insurances Handicap Hurdle.

"I thought three miles might be a bit far for him and I thought we were losing ground at the end," said Mullins.

Watts was delighted by the victory. "I thought he had a good chance but I had to pull out all the stops. I turned professional two years ago and it's great to get this first win - I've had a good few rides but just no luck."

Definate Spectacle "the gamble of the week" according to one bookmaker, justified 9/4 favouritism in the Kielys Of Donnybrook Hurdle when scoring by an easy six lengths and trainer Noel Meade believes there could be better to come from the former useful Flat performer.

"He was rated over 100 on the Flat and there's no doubt he could be useful," said Meade. "His coat hasn't come right and I think he needs a break now - I wasn't proud of how he looked but I was proud of how he ran today! They went very fast today but he was always travelling well, he has a lot of speed and could pick them up easily."

Local trainer David Broad had his biggest success to date and his first at Punchestown  when Prince Of Pleasure landed the S M Morris Ltd Handicap Chase at 25/1. Danny Howard, successful in Saturday's Betfred Gold Cup at Sandown on Puntal, continued an excellent few days.

"The ground was a big factor and we quietly fancied him today," said Broad.

MOSCOW FINISHES CAMPAIGN WITH A FLYER
The mighty Moscow Flyer maintained his remarkable record of never being beaten when completing over fences after justifying 4/11 favouritism to hold off the persistent Rathgar Beau by two lengths in the Grade 1 ****.com Chase to the delight of trainer Jessica Harrington.

"Barry (Geraghty) said that was the nicest ride he'd ever had off the horse in Ireland because they went a good gallop," said Harrington. "The horse was very switched off which is great, you can always rev them up again. It's great to finish off the season like that and he'll be out in a field next week. I was delighted to see him so relaxed today."

Harrington confirmed that Moscow Flyer is now on course for a step up in trip to three miles for the Pertemps King George VI Chase at Kempton, for which he is quoted at 5/1 with Cashmans.

"The King George is the idea now and it's only if it was bottomless ground that we might think again, he's 10 now and will be 11 next year," added the trainer. "He'll probably start off over two miles, though, in the Fortria Chase at Navan, where he began this season."

INCA BATTLES BRAVELY
Brave Inca, who came home to rapturous applause after winning last month's Letheby & Christopher Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham, received a similar reception after getting the better of Aintree winner Royal Shakespeare in a photo for the Grade 1 Evening Herald Novices' Hurdle.

The winner, one of just 16 horses trained by Co Kerry-based Colm Murphy, is now unbeaten in four starts and connections are dreaming of further Cheltenham success next March.

"He's class, just unbelievable," said Murphy, who spent six years learning the trade with Aidan O'Brien. "Every time you work him, he just frightens you - he's that good. He won at Cheltenham on the Tuesday but didn't come back until Thursday and we had to ride him out on Thursday morning as he was so fresh.

"At the moment we are thinking along the lines of the Champion Hurdle next season. We won't be in a hurry to get him back in, we'll probably only give him one run before Christmas.

"My heart was in my mouth today but he's as tough as nails. The ground had dried out enough for him today, he'd prefer more of a stiff two miles."

Jockey Barry Cash was equally thrilled by the victory. "He doesn't do a lot when he hits the front and I was worried turning for home. But he's as tough as nail and loves a battle and I don't think you'll see him win by four or five lengths again, he knows how to do just enough now." said the rider. "The track is in absolutely perfect condition but the ground was lively enough for him. This is my local track so to win here makes it a bit special."

There was a turn-up in the fiercely-competitive Murphy International Ltd Handicap Hurdle when Joey Elliott, now based in Britain with Martin Pipe, brought home the Michael Cunningham-trained Supreme Being in front.

The winner paid 85/1 on the Tote and returned a 33/1 starting price but the victory was not a total surprise to Cunningham.

"He was fourth in this a couple of years ago when Shay Barry thought he would have won but he lost 20 lengths when one fell in front of him," said the trainer. "We planned to run him at Fairyhouse but he was cast in his box so did not run. But he was on a perfect weight of 9st 4lb today, the ground was perfect and Joey is riding very well."

The EUR100,000 Bewleys Hotels & European Breeders Fund National Hunt Fillies' Championship Bumper gave 7lb-claiming amateur Leonard Flynn the biggest success of his career when coming home two lengths in front aboard Missindependence for trainer Charlie Swan.

HUGE CROWD

Today' s attendance at Punchestown was a modern-day record of 15,229, 17.1 per cent up on the crowd figure of 13,000 on this day 12 months ago.

The four-day Irish National Hunt Festival, which this year boasts record prize money of EUR1.7 million, continues until Friday

WON IN THE DARK, who finished third to Big Buck's on his first try at 3m in the BGC Partners Liverpool Hurdle, is to remain at that trip on his next start in the Ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle on May 5.

Entries for the Punchestown festival Grade 1 closed on Wednesday and will be revealed on Monday, along with those for the Rabobank Champion Hurdle.

Trainer Sabrina Harty said: "He ran a cracker at Aintree. We were so thrilled with him. He hasn't been right all year. His bloods were wrong, he was slow to get his summer coat and he just wasn't himself, but he's much better now and showed it at Aintree.

"After that run we have to have another go at the trip and the World Series Hurdle is the obvious race."

Another trainer with Punchestown on his mind is Colm Murphy, who intends running Quito De LaRoque in the Growise Champion Novice Chase on May 3, assuming ground conditions are not too fast for the improving seven-year-old.

Quito De La Roque encountered the fastest ground he has ever faced at Aintree but handled it well enough to win his third Grade 2 of the season and he is likely to be seen again at Punchestown.

"I do want to think about his future because he has a big future," said Murphy. "However, all going well he will run next month and then we can look forward to next season."

The meetingThe Punchestown festival is the final championship round of the season. Ireland’s answer to the Cheltenham Festival, it brings together the stars of racing, from the Aintree Grand National meeting, Fairyhouse’s Irish Grand National meeting, Cheltenham itself and any whose preparation ruled them out the earlier festivals.

The five-day festival is also the last meeting of the Irish jumps season and often decides who takes home the jockeys’, trainers’ and owners’ championship titles over its stamina-demanding 35 races, ten of which are Grade 1s.

Novelly, the Punchestown festival features a popular best-dressed lady tournament. On each of the first three days, ten will be whittled down to one winner, who will walk away with a €1,000 Arnotts voucher, a goodie bag and a place in the grand final on Friday. Those three ladies will join seven chosen on the day in the final line up, the winner of which will take home a €10,000 Arnotts gift card and claim a private suite with champagne reception for an evening meeting at Punchestown in May.


The ****.com Champion Chase is the feature race on the opening day, Tuesday, and the 2m race features a who's who of stars on its roll of honour.  Cheltenham Champion Chase heroes Klairon Davis, Moscow Flyer, Newmill and Master Minded have cemented their places at the top of their division with victories in the race and this year’s Champion Chase winner Sizing Europe is poised to join that list.

Tuesday's racing starts at 3.40pm, as it does on each day bar the final, with a race over Punchestown’s unique banks course featuring towering drop banks, a water splash, stone wall and the impressive Ruby’s Double in front of the stands.

Tuesday also boasts the Grade 12m Evening Herald Champion Novice Hurdle and a Grade 1 for potential Gold Cup contenders to test their mettle, the 3m1f Growise Champion Novice Chase.

Wednesday hosts two Grade 1s, with the Martinstown Opportunity Series Final for conditional riders’ starting the day before Britain and Ireland’s classiest staying chasers star in the feature, the Guinness Gold Cup, where they are all bidding to win a race that has previously called champion such stars as Arkle, Imperial Call, Kicking King and War Of Attrition.

It has been dominated by British-trained horses in recent seasons and champion trainer Paul Nicholls is targeting his third win in five years, this time with sensational chaser Kauto Star. The other Grade 1 on the card is the Betchronicle Champion Bumper, a 2m Flat race for potential jumps horses.

The Ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle, won for the last two years by Irish champion trainer Willie Mullins, is the feature race on Thursday. The 3m race has thrown up some classy mares in recent years, with Asian Maze, Refinement and last year's champion Quevega all on the winners’ list.

The Ryanair Novice Chase makes it two Grade 1s on day three, which also hosts the most covetted race over the banks course, the Avon Ri-sponsored La Touche Cup over a gruelling 4m1f.

The highlight of a marathon eight-race card on Friday - also Ladies’ Day - is the Rabobank Champion Hurdle.  With Ireland having dominated the 2m hurdle division for much of the past decade this is often the most exhilirating race of the week, bringing together sensational speedsters including the last two winners of the Champion Hurdle: Hurricane Fly and Binocular, the later having missed his chance to defend his crown at Cheltenham.

A test for middle-distance novice hurdlers, the Cathal Ryan Memorial Champion Novice Hurdle, rounds off the Grade 1s on day four, but the card is concluded by Ireland’s most covetted hunter chase crown, the Irish Racing Post Champion Hunter Chase.

Saturday (Family Day) concludes the meeting, season and championship battles for top trainer, jockey and owner. Last year brought a fantastic tussle between JP McManus and  victor Gigginstown House Stud, run by Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary, for the owners' title.

This year that battle could once again go down to the wire, along with the most exciting race for top jockey in the past decade with 20-year-old Paul Townend bidding to fight off Davy Russell and Paul Carberry for a first crown.

The only afternoon card of the meeting, Saturday boasts face painting, pony rides and a bouncy castle as part of the Junior Jockey Fun Club. Its feature race is the tenth Grade 1 of the meeting, the AES Champion Four-year-old Hurdle, and it closes with the Diageo Punchestown Charity Race won in the past by the likes of Moscow Flyer, who was ridden by trainer Jessica Harrington’s daughter Kate.

Tickets


There are two enclosures for racegoers to choose from:


The Reserved enclosure is the most exclusive enclosure with a shopping village, trackside viewing lawns, bars and a champagne bar.

Racegoers also have access to the funfair, grandstands and all the track's refreshment facilities, as well as viewing areas of the parade ring and saddling enclosure.

Tickets are available for €40 Tuesday-Saturday, with significant discounts for groups of ten or more.



The Parade Ring enclosure offers extensive viewing in the grandstand, on the lawn and at the last-fence stand. It has extensive restaurants, bars and betting facilities and the Sports Lounge on the first floor of the grandstand for those seeking a more relaxing day.

Tickets are available for €30 Tuesday-Saturday, with significant discounts for groups of ten or more.

Over 65s can gain admission to the parade ring enclosure for €18, while under 14s go free. Students aged 14 to 18 must go through a special turnstile and pay €18, the same price as all racegoers, regardless of age, who produce a valid student identification card.



Tickets for the Punchestown festival are available from the course's website: http://www.punchestown.com/ticketing.asp    or by calling: +353 (0)45 897704.

Hurricane Fly is on course to defend his crown in the Rabobank Champion Hurdle at Punchestown on May 6.

No horse has won this race twice since it was revamped in 1999, but Willie Mullins' star will return to the County Kildare track fresh from his brilliant success in the Stan James Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.

"I am pleased with Hurricane Fly at the moment and the plan is to go to the Rabobank Champion Hurdle," said Mullins.

"We have had ups and downs with him the past couple of years but this year everything has gone according to plan and we are happy that at Cheltenham he was able to show what we always hoped he might do.

"We were very pleased with that and delighted with how he has come out of Cheltenham."

The 16 entries for the Punchestown contest also feature the Nicky Henderson-trained Binocular, winner of Cheltenham's Champion Hurdle in 2010 and the Philip Hobbs-trained Menorah, fifth behind Hurricane Fly there last month.

"Menorah was disappointing in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham and there was no real reason for it," said Hobbs.

"He is in good form now, he was a little bit flat for a week or two but he seems fine now so we will go straight to the Rabobank Champion Hurdle."

Other possibles include Philip Fenton's stable star Dunguib, Colm Murphy's smart mare Voler La Vedette and British hopefuls Mille Chief, Overturn and Starluck.

Chris in line for Punchestown raid


Cheltenham Festival scorer Captain Chris will attempt to plunder further Grade One riches at Punchestown next month.

Philip Hobbs' aspiring star is being aimed at the Ryanair Novice Chase on May 5 following his victory in the Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham.

Hobbs said: "I am very much intending to run Captain Chris as well as Menorah (in the Rabobank Champion Hurdle). Captain Chris has come out of Cheltenham really well and he is doing good."

He added: "I would have gone to Aintree but there was no race for him there, so he will head over to Punchestown where we hope he can run another good race. He wouldn't want it soft and I'm sure Punchestown will keep it safe."

Others among a 12-strong entry are the Paul Nolan-trained Noble Prince, winner of the Jewson Novices' Chase at Cheltenham, and the Paul Nicholls-trained Ghizao

Chris in line for Punchestown raid


Cheltenham Festival scorer Captain Chris will attempt to plunder further Grade One riches at Punchestown next month.

Philip Hobbs' aspiring star is being aimed at the Ryanair Novice Chase on May 5 following his victory in the Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham.

Hobbs said: "I am very much intending to run Captain Chris as well as Menorah (in the Rabobank Champion Hurdle). Captain Chris has come out of Cheltenham really well and he is doing good."

He added: "I would have gone to Aintree but there was no race for him there, so he will head over to Punchestown where we hope he can run another good race. He wouldn't want it soft and I'm sure Punchestown will keep it safe."

Others among a 12-strong entry are the Paul Nolan-trained Noble Prince, winner of the Jewson Novices' Chase at Cheltenham, and the Paul Nicholls-trained Ghizao

Silver and Kempes to bid for more Grade 1 glory

By Tony O'Hehir

GOLDEN SILVER and Kempes, who were among trainer Willie Mullins' record-equalling haul of 12 victories at last year's Punchestown festival, will be out to try and repeat the feat next month. 
Winner of the ****.com Champion Chase a year ago, Golden Silver will tackle the same event on May 3 when he will renew rivalry with Sizing Europe, Big Zeb and Captain Cee Bee, the trio that finished in front of him in the Sportingbet.com Champion Chase at Cheltenham last month.

Mullins said: "We would prefer winter ground for Golden Silver, but he won the race on good ground last year and he seems to like Punchestown.

"He has been raced hard all year, but he seems to take it and enjoy it, so we certainly couldn't stay at home. He deserves a crack at it and will go there with a big chance."   

Kempes, who landed the Grade 1 Growise Champion Novice Chase at the meeting a year ago, won the Grade 1 Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown in February before running poorly and being pulled up in the Totesport Gold Cup.

The eight-year-old's target is the Grade 1 Guinness Gold Cup over 3m1f on May 4.

"I was very disappointed with Kempes at Cheltenham - he didn't perform at all in the Gold Cup. We have given him a break and, hopefully, we will have him back, ready for Punchestown again."

Golden Silver is 6-1 with Ladbrokes, while Kempes is slightly shorter at a general 5-1 for his Punchestown assignment.

The Mick The Tent Memorial Novices' Handicap Chase on May 6 has attracted 71 entries including the Philip Hobbs-trained Wishfull Thinking, winner of the Grade 2 Manifesto Novices' Chase at Aintree, and the mare Aura About You, winner of a Grade 3 chase for trainer Paul Nolan on her most recent start.

The entries for the 2m5f event also include Blazing Tempo, Carrigmartin, Mamlook, Loosen My Load, Torphichen and Some Target.

The www.thetote.com Handicap Hurdle over 2m4f on May 7, the final day of the festival, has 65 entries, with Mullins responsible for 11, including Sir Des Champs, winner of the Martin Pipe Conditional Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham festival last month, Call The Police, Barker and Dorset Square.

Arthur Moore has entered What A Charm, winner of the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham, while Far Away So Close, a winner at Aintree for Paul Nolan, and the Gordon Elliott-trained Russian War, who followed up his Aintree win by scoring at Ayr on Saturday.

The Punchestown festival takes place from Tuesday, May 3, toSaturday, May 7, 2011 and includes 11 Grade 1 races over the five days

Binocular confirmed a runner in the Irish Champion Hurdle

PUNCHESTOWN could be next for Beautiful Sound after the Ladbrokes Irish Grand National ante-post favourite failed to get into the €250,000 event at Fairyhouse. 
Beautiful Sound was made the second reserve at Friday's declaration stage and had until one hour before the first race on Monday for two horses to be withdrawn, making space in the 25-runner field for him.

That did not happen, however, and connections could now look to the Punchestown festival with the lightly raced nine-year-old as he holds an entry in the 2m4f Guinness Handicap Chase on Wednesday, May

Timmy Murphy will ride Sizing Europe at Punchestown next week

DUNGUIB, as short as 12-1 with Victor Chandler for Friday's Rabobank Champion Hurdle, was on Monday ruled out of the race and confirmed for Thurday's Ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle at Punchestown.

Dunguib was one of eight withdrawn from the Champion Hurdle at Monday's five-day stage, as main protaganists Binocular, Hurricane Fly and Menorah stood their ground.

Dunguib's trainer Philip Fenton admitted that taking on Quevega, the  8-11 favourite for the World Series Hurdle,  "will be no simple task".

He added: "We're very happy with him and hopefully the step up to 3m will suit. He's long enough campaigned over hurdles and I'm sure he will be going over fences next season."

Fellow World Series Hurdle contenders Voler La Vedette and Luska Lad also exited the Champion Hurdle picture and Shark Hanlon, Luska Lad's trainer, told At The Races: "As long as we haven't got firm in the ground he will run. Quevega will be hard to beat, but I've never had this horse as well."

Luska Lad, who had been as short as 20-1 with Paddy Power for the Champion Hurdle, is a 14-1 chance for the World Series Hurdle.

anyone know going stick reading punches yet?

or do you know where to find going stick for irish tracks?

thanks for all this AD

monkey unfortunately going sticks have yet to reach Irish tracks. Fwiw the anticipated rain has yet to arrive and they decided to hold back their watering plans for the weekend due to forecast rain. Unless they watered in abundance for the last 24 hours and tonight the going will be fast imo.

Sporting Life topspeed

15:40 Kildare Hunt Club Fr Sean Breen Memorial Chase

WEDGER PARDY won this in 2008 and 2009 but was beaten by Zest For Life when attempting a hat-trick a year ago. He was conceding 10lb to the winner on that occasion and only went down narrowly so can take his revenge, especially as he was returning from a year's break last time and a recent run will have put him straight. Outlaw Pete, a stablemate of Zest For Life, finished fourth a year ago having had every chance and though in better form than either of those rivals is unlikely to reverse the form. Let The Show Begin won an Open at Oldcastle last week but has never tackled these cross country obstacles, a remark that also applies to recent point-to-point winners Butlers Storm and Jills Oscar.

16:20 Evening Herald Champion Novice Hurdle

Noel Meade has a fantastic record in this so it would be no surprise to see his Italian import Il Fenomeno, a good fifth behind stablemate Prima Vista and today's rival Rathlin in a Grade 3 at Fairyhouse last week, run a big race here. Otterstown Lady and Oilily finished 1-2 in a maiden here a year ago but the latter has made the better progress and looks a threat, though she was beaten by HIDDEN UNIVERSE in the Champion Bumper at last year's fixture. Dermot Weld's charge hasn't done quite as well as expected over timber since landing his maiden but his two defeats have come in Grade 1s at Leopardstown and Cheltenham and he will be the freshest in the field. He has a little to find with Far Away So Close on their run behind Al Ferof in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle but the latter had a tough race when scoring at Aintree which may just have taken its toll. Shot From The Hip was a big disappointment at Gowran last time and will need major improvement to get involved though earlier form puts him in the picture.

16:55 '3' Handicap Hurdle

Willie Mullins is making a big effort to take this with three entries but it's NEAREST THE PIN that catches the eye from the bottom of the handicap. Tony Martin's charge has progressed with every run and was making his handicap debut when an impressive winner at Fairyhouse. He was raised 12lb for that victory and though 1lb out of the weights here looks set to follow up. Wee Giant could prove the pick of the Mullins trio as he was having his first start since December when placed at Ballinrobe last week. Salesin didn't do as well as expected over fences but has reverted to hurdles in brilliant form and attempts a hat-trick after victories at Wexford and Cork. He's shot up the weights as a consequence but should still give a good account as should Whodoyouthink, back over a more suitable trip after failing to stay much further in strong events at Aintree and Fairyhouse. Total Excitement has been running well without much luck and though he doesn't win often enough should still be thereabouts.

17:30 ****.com Champion Chase

A brilliant renewal with the first four home from the Queen Mother Champion Chase locking horns again. SIZING EUROPE produced his best run since landing last year's Arkle to take the big one at Cheltenham with Big Zeb a gallant runner-up, Captain Cee Bee third and last year's winner of this, Golden Silver, fourth. The ground will be quicker this time but it was impossible not to be impressed by the winner who should confirm the form. Big Zeb made a slight mistake two out but that didn't make a difference to the result and though Captain Cee Bee may enjoy today's faster going he has plenty of ground to make up. Golden Silver needs softer ground while the mare J'y Vole is much better over further and is another for whom the going will probably be too quick.

18:05 Goffs Land Rover Bumper

Purcell's Bridge, a good fourth at Cork in March, can improve but Black Zorro's second to Waaheb at Limerick is easily the best form on view and he will take some beating. However, there are some potentially useful sorts amongst the newcomers and he may have to settle for a place again. Willie Mullins has won this twice in recent years and can take it again via MR CARSON, a half-brother to numerous winners including several decent performers on the Flat and out of a mare who won over 7f. Johannisberger is bred to be smart on the Flat and is definitely on the short-list but both Shinrock Beat and The Westener Boy, though hailing from yards that do well in these events, have pedigrees that suggest they will do better when tackling hurdles and fences.

18:40 Growise Champion Novice Chase

The going could make all the difference here as the very progressive and high-class Quito De La Roque may find the ground too lively after his hard-fought success over Sarando in the Grade 2 Mildmay Novices' Chase at Aintree. Quel Esprit has been in touch when falling in two Grade 1s and will win a big one before long though he's another whose form is on ground with plenty of give. Loosen My Load has been contesting high-class events since gaining his first success over fences on this course last May. He's ideally suited by fast conditions and the only doubt is over the trip as he's never raced beyond 2m4f in his career. REVE DE SIVOLA has improved since being stepped up to this distance on his last two starts at Cheltenham and Aintree and, as he loves quick ground, he can beat off the home challenge and take this for Nick Williams.

19:15 Finlay Motor Group Flat Race

Of those that have had a run, Gold Ability and Streets Of Newyork may prove best though it will be a surprise if this doesn't fall to a newcomer. Morning Royalty is an obvious starting point as Willie Mullins' charge is related to the useful Morning Supreme. Nicky Henderson won this in 2009 and has a pair of entries this time, the once-raced Oscar Nominee, who can certainly improve on his Doncaster debut run and Captain Cutter, whose dam hails from a high-class chasing family. Jessica Harrington's Play The Market is another who is bred to be a useful chaser but his stablemate REAR VIEW is a different proposition as he's out of a mare who won on the Flat and is from the family of several Group winners. He may have enough pace to take this on his debut though Arthur Moore's Puddle Alley is another with speed and stamina in his pedigree.

Ryan McElligott


The five day spectacular that is the Punchestown Festival gets underway on Tuesday afternoon and the undoubted pick of the first day's action is the ****.com Champion Chase which brings together the first four home from the Queen Mother at Cheltenham.

Sizing Europe will be bidding to end his season on a high following his heroics at Cheltenham but he will once again have to be at his best against this quality field.

Big Zeb could again emerge as his biggest threat. He produced a valiant effort in defending his two mile crown when going down by five lengths to Sizing Europe at Cheltenham and it is entirely possible that he could give his old rival more to do on this occasion.

Further interest is supplied by the Cheltenham third and fourth Captain Cee Bee and Golden Silver. The former was a Grade 1 winner at this meeting last year while the latter showed just how well he copes with good ground when winning this race twelve months ago. This is a fantastic opening day feature and it could just be a race to savour as opposed to one to get involved in. It wouldn't surprise if Big Zeb turned over his old foe on this occasion.

The first Grade 1 event on the card is the Evening Herald Champion Novice Hurdle where all seven of the runners are chasing their first success at this level over hurdles.

Rathlin looked somewhat unlucky not to collect a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse last week and he must be strongly considered. Meanwhile Hidden Universe, a Grade 1 bumper winner at this meeting a year ago, is surely capable of better than he has shown over hurdles so far.

However preference is for the fast ground loving Oilily who was second to Hidden Universe in the Grade 1 bumper here last year. She has since made up into quite a decent hurdler and comes here off a cracking effort at Aintree where she was only just edged out by Topolski. If Oilily turns up in similar form she should take a good deal of beating.

Quito De La Roque, whose only defeat this season came at the hands of the subsequent RSA Chase winner Bostons Angel, gets the vote to end his season on a high in the Growise Champion Novice Chase.

Throughout the winter Colm Murphy's charge went from strength to strength on deep ground but he proved just as effective on a much quicker surface when scoring at Aintree last month.

He did only win by a neck that day but had more in hand than the winning margin there would suggest. Admittedly the ground in Punchestown is likely to be quicker still than what he encountered at Aintree but this thoroughly likeable seven-year-old should be able to continue his winning spree at the expense of the English raider Reve De Sivola who returns to novice company following several good runs in decent handicaps.

The meeting begins with the Ladies Cup and last year's winner Zest For Life is preferred to Wedger Pardy who won this race in 2008 and 2009.

The Enda Bolger-trained Zest For Life is five pounds worse off with Wedger Pardy, who he defeated last year, but as a seven-year-old he should still be open to further progress. The ground will be fine for him and he wasn't at all disgraced on his most recent appearance on the track when finishing fifth in a hunters chase at Fairyhouse in February on unsuitable heavy ground.

Another obvious danger is Zest For Life's stablemate Outlaw Pete who started favourite for this race twelve months ago and finished a respectable fourth. He comes here off a recent point-to-point success at Killmallock.

Elsewhere the frustrating Grey Soldier and the still unexposed Silver Friend are two to watch out for in the '3' Handicap Hurdle. This might just be a race to leave alone though.

Recommended:
3.40 Zest For Life 1pt win
4.20 Oilily 2pts win
6.40 Quito De La Roque 1pt wi

I find this meeting drags on, 4 days max it should be, counted 5 flat races and 2 stupid banks races already.
God help us if Cheltenham goes into a 5th day and gets some of the drivel we have to put up with at Punchestown.