Punchestown Racecourse

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Nicky Henderson Unveils Punchestown Plans
07/04/09

Cheltenham Gold Cup seventh Barbers Shop could become the first Royal runner in Ireland for more than 37 years in the Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup at the Irish National Hunt Festival on Wednesday, April 29.

Barbers Shop
© racing-images.co.uk

Trainer Nicky Henderson said: “I spoke to the Queen last night and we agreed we would enter him for the race and see how we were going nearer the time. He worked with Punchestowns this morning, it was their first bit of proper work since Cheltenham and he seemed in very good form.

“He travelled well at Cheltenham and I think he got the trip, he just doesn’t want to be run off his feet.

“Barry Geraghty first mooted the idea of Punchestown and we thought he’s only had three runs this season so he’s not had a hectic time and it’s not going to be easy next season. But the ground is vital and we wouldn’t want it too fast.”

The last Royal runner in Ireland is believed to have been Mascara, who won for the Queen Mother at Baldoyle in 1971.

Henderson also confirmed that the appropriately-named Punchestowns is on course for the ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle at the Irish National Hunt Festival on Thursday, April 30, and that Champion Hurdle winner Punjabi is likely to go for the Rabobank Champion Hurdle on Friday, May 1.

Punjabi
© racing-images.co.uk

Henderson added: “We always had the dream of going to Punchestown with Punchestowns, firstly because of his name and secondly because his late owner Lynn Wilson loved going there. I am not going to duck out of the race if Big Buck’s is there and if the ground is good to soft he’ll be there and so will Punjabi, who is a very tough horse and has come out of Cheltenham well.”

Henderson’s Punchestown team is also likely to include the novice hurdlers Ainama and Riverside Theatre, part owned by actor James Nesbitt.

Richie Galway, General Manager of Punchestown, said: “The ground is currently soft and the forecast is mixed for the rest of the week. We are hopeful we won’t have to interfere, but if we need to we will water to maintain the going on the easy side of good.”

Entries for the feature races close tomorrow (8th April).

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