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More Stars Entered At Punchestown
02/04/10
Early-closing entries for days three, four and five of the 2010 Irish National Hunt Festival at Punchestown are revealed today with many more of the biggest stars in jump racing set to appear at the meeting, which runs from Tuesday, April 20 to Saturday, April 24.
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Those entered for the GRADE 1 LADBROKES.COM WORLD SERIES HURDLE, feature race on Thursday, April 22, include Big Buck’s and Time For Rupert, who filled the first two places in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Big’s Bucks is one of no less than four winners from this year’s Cheltenham Festival entered in the Ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle, alongside the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle hero Berties Dream, Quevega, who landed the David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle for a second consecutive year, and runaway Vincent O’Brien County Handicap Hurdle victor Thousand Stars.
The same day’s GRADE 1 RYANAIR NOVICE CHASE could see a fascinating clash between some star names from both sides of the Irish Sea.
Trainer Henry de Bromhead is mulling over whether to run his brilliant Cheltenham Arkle Chase winner Sizing Europe in either this novices’ event or the Grade 1 Boylesports.com Champion Chase on the Festival’s opening day.
Captain Cee Bee was sent off favourite for the Cheltenham race and could bid to bounce back at Punchestown although trainer Edward Harty is also considering a return to hurdles in the Grade 1 Rabobank Champion Hurdle
Harty revealed today: “The plan at the moment is to go to Punchestown. He has had a break since Cheltenham to get over the burst blood vessel and we will make our minds up over the course of the next few weeks whether he is ready for it and, if so, which race will it be if we do go.
“We have given him a tentative entry into the Rabobank Champion Hurdle to give ourselves more options. It will be his last run of the year so there is no point in limiting ourselves to just one option. We may as well keep the options open to the last minute.
“I would not be afraid to go for either race, it just depends on what the horse is telling us. Hopefully he will be fit and well and we can decide nearer to the day.
Other possibles in the Ryanair Novice Chase include Riverside Theatre, owned by actor Jimmy Nesbitt, and his stablemates with Lambourn handler Nicky Henderson, Mad Max and French Opera.
Friday, April 23
Friday’s feature GRADE 1 RABOBANK CHAMPION HURDLE is shaping into a fascinating contest with the Charles Byrnes-trained Solwhit, winner of the race 12 months ago, set to bid for a sixth career Grade 1 success in the two-mile contest.
Byrnes is hopeful that the six-year-old can return from a rare below-par run when only sixth in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.
“We have given Solwhit an entry in the Rabobank Champion Hurdle and I am hopeful that he will run. He has won two Grade 1 races at Punchestown, including this race last year, so he will hopefully go there if the ground comes up soft,” said Byrnes.
“You would have to say that his run at Cheltenham was disappointing but I think that it was down to a number of things. The track didn’t seem to suit him and the ground didn’t really play to his strengths - I had reservations about both before he ran.
“He needs softer ground and he just didn’t quicken when the rest of the field did at the top of the hill. He was also on a course on antibiotics a week beforehand, which didn’t help his cause, but he didn’t show any kind of sickness afterwards and looks in good order at moment.”
But his task will not be easy with the 2008 Rabobank Champion Hurdle winner (and last year’s short-head second) Punjabi set to travel over from Nicky Henderson’s stable.
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Willie Mullins has four entries and, as well as Quevega and Thousand Stars, many eyes will be on Hurricane Fly, last season’s superb Evening Herald Champion Novice Hurdle winner who has been off the track since November.
The novice Dunguib could step up to championship company while other British raiders could include Punjabi’s stablemate Zaynar, who finished third in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, and the Alan Fleming-trained Starluck.
Reve De Sivola is set to travel to Punchestown for the GRADE 1 CATHAL RYAN MEMORIAL CHAMPION NOVICE HURDLE on Friday, April 23, to bid to give his trainer Nick Williams a first success at the Irish National Hunt Festival.
The five-year-old finished runner-up in the Neptune Investment Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham and the winner of that contest, Peddlers Cross, is also among a strong British-trained entry.
The Dermot Weld-trained Rite Of Passage, who finished third at Cheltenham, and the lightly-raced and rapidly-improving Captain Chris, from Philip Hobbs’ stable, are others among a very-strong entry.
There are 74 entries for what promises to be an ultra-competitive renewal of the PUNCHESTOWN NOVICE HANDICAP CHASE on Friday, April 23. Copper Bleu, trained by Philip Hobbs, is a likely starter following his success in the Jewson Novices’ Handicap Chase at Cheltenham while Willie Mullins is also targeting the Punchestown contest with The Midnight Club.
Saturday, April 24
Trainer Evan Williams today confirmed the GRADE 1 FAMILY DAY AT PUNCHESTOWN 4YO HURDLE, feature event on the concluding day of the Punchestown Festival, as the next start for Barizan.
The four-year-old had an 18-length lead over his rivals turning for home in the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham but had to settle for second place as Soldatino arrived late on the scene to clinch victory.
Williams said: “There is every chance that Barizan will go to Punchestown. He has been very well since his run in the Triumph Hurdle. He had a very tough race at Cheltenham, there is no doubting that, but he did have a mid-winter break, which means that he was quite a fresh horse going there.
“It has been pleasing, the way he has come out of the race - he seems very happy and on Thursday morning he worked as well as he ever has.
“It was torture watching the final furlong at Cheltenham. I stood down by the last flight and could see it all unravelling in front of my eyes. I have to give a lot of credit to Barry Geraghty who has given the winner a peach of a ride. It was disappointing but the more I look back on it, we ran a blinder and were beaten by a good horse that was given an exceptional ride by a great jockey.
“It is always nice to go to the Punchestown Festival. It will be ground dependent - I wouldn’t like to go if it is too soft because he is a horse that likes good ground, so we will monitor the situation. It is very easy for us to get to Ireland, so hopefully the elements will not conspire against us.
“I have had a couple of runners at the Punchestown Festival and while I haven’t had a winner there, the horses I sent over ran with a great deal of promise. Five years ago I had Osiris who ran a blinder in a handicap chase to finish a close second and then a year later Piran wasn’t beaten far when fifth in a handicap hurdle.”
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The JCB Triumph Hurdle form could be well-represented with the third-placed Alaivan and Carlito Brigante, who came fourth, also entered. The progressive Sanctuaire, winner of the Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham, has been entered by Paul Nicholls while Nicky Henderson could be represented by Super Kenny, part-owned by ex-Scotland rugby international Kenny Logan and his television presenter wife Gabby.
The PUNCHESTOWN PAVILION HANDICAP HURDLE on Saturday, April 24, has attracted a huge 82-strong entry with Willie Mullins - successful 12 months ago with Sesenta - accounting for no less than 12 of those.
2010 PUNCHESTOWN IRISH NATIONAL HUNT FESTIVAL EARLY-CLOSING ENTRIES – THURSDAY, FRIDAY & SATURDAY
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle
(Grade 1) €170,000, 3 miles
1 Aitmatov (GER) (N Meade)
2 Bensalem (A King GB)
3 Berties Dream (P J Gilligan)
4 Big Buck's (FR) (P F Nicholls GB)
5 Bouggler (GB) (Miss E C Lavelle GB)
6 Cousin Vinny (W P Mullins)
7 Healys Bar (O McKiernan)
8 Jessies Dream (G Elliott)
9 Karabak (FR) (A King GB)
10 Kayf Aramis (GB) (N A Twiston Davies GB)
11 Lie Forrit (W Amos GB)
12 Moskova (P Nolan)
13 Mourad (W P Mullins)
14 Ninetieth Minute (T J Taaffe)
15 Noble Prince (GER) (P Nolan)
16 Oscar Dan Dan (T Mullins)
17 Powerstation (E O'Connell)
18 Prince Erik (GB) (D K Weld)
19 Quevega (FR) (W P Mullins)
20 Realt Dubh (N Meade)
21 Sam Adams (P Nolan)
22 Sentry Duty (FR) (N J Henderson GB)
23 Silent Oscar (H Rogers)
24 Souffleur (GB) (P Bowen GB)
25 Thousand Stars (FR) (W P Mullins)
26 Time For Rupert (P R Webber GB)
27 Venalmar (GB) (M F Morris)
28 War Of Attrition (M F Morris)
29 Whatuthink (O McKiernan)
Ryanair Novice Chase
(Grade 1) €90,000, 2 miles
1 An Cathaoir Mor (H de Bromhead)
2 Archie Boy (P W Flynn)
3 Captain Cee Bee (E P Harty)
4 Cuan Na Grai (P Nolan)
5 Emmpat (C F Swan)
6 Fosters Cross (T Mullins)
7 French Opera (GB) (N J Henderson GB)
8 Jered (N Meade)
9 Kempes (W P Mullins)
10 Let Yourself Go (A Maguire)
11 Lucky Wish (GB) (E Griffin)
12 Mad Max (N J Henderson GB)
13 Nicanor (FR) (N Meade)
14 Noble Alan (GER) (N G Richards GB)
15 Osana (FR) (E J O'Grady)
16 Psycho (A J Martin)
17 Quiscover Fontaine (FR) (W P Mullins)
18 Riverside Theatre (GB) (NJHenderson GB)
19 Roberto Goldback (MrsJHarrington)
20 Schelm (GER) (RO'Leary)
21 See U Bob (PNolan)
22 Shakervilz (FR) (W P Mullins)
23 Sizing Europe (H de Bromhead)
24 Sports Line (W P Mullins)
25 Tataniano (FR) (PFNicholls GB)
26 Tchico Polos (FR) (PFNicholls GB)
Punchestown Novice Handicap Chase
(Grade A) €85,000, 2m 5f
1 Across The Bay (N Meade)
2 Askthemaster (R Tyner)
3 Barcardero (USA) (G Elliott)
4 Beckett Rock (M F Morris)
5 Bideford Legend (P W Flynn)
6 Caim Hill (P Fenton)
7 Cara Mara (J A Berry)
8 Chasing Cars (Mrs J Harrington)
9 China Rock (M F Morris)
10 Cloud Nine (D E Pipe GB)
11 Colls Corner (M Barry)
12 Copper Bleu (P J Hobbs GB)
13 Cuan Na Grai (P Nolan)
14 Dancing Tornado (M Hourigan)
15 Deal Done (FR) (D T Hughes)
16 Diophas (GER) (E J O'Grady)
17 Earth And Sky (USA) (P Nolan)
18 Faltering Fullback (GB) (E McNamara)
19 Fiendish Flame (D McCain Jnr GB)
20 First Point (GER) (N J Henderson GB)
21 Fisher Bridge (N Meade)
22 Fort George (H de Bromhead)
23 Fosters Cross (T Mullins)
24 Golden Kite (A Maguire)
25 Got Attitude (Mrs J Harrington)
26 Hangover (C O'Dwyer)
27 Havagoodsip (A L T Moore)
28 Inistioge (G Donnelly)
29 Jack The Bus (P Casey)
30 Jered (N Meade)
31 Jewel Of The West (N Meade)
32 Kangaroo Court (Miss E C Lavelle GB)
33 Khachaturian (D McCain Jnr GB)
34 Kimberlite King (C A Murphy)
35 Lease Lend (GB) (T D Easterby GB)
36 Lenabane (D T Hughes)
37 Lilywhitedancer (W P Mullins)
38 Lord Cebellino (L Whitmore)
39 Lucky Wish (GB) (E Griffin)
40 Lurgan (D T Hughes)
41 Majestic Oak (FR) (L P Cusack)
42 Narquois (FR) (N Meade)
43 Native Clan (FR) (A LT Moore)
44 Nicanor (FR) (N Meade)
45 Noble Prize (GER) (D T Hughes)
46 Organisedconfusion (A L T Moore)
47 Oscar Looby (N Meade)
48 Otay Kawn (W P Mullins)
49 Othermix (FR) (T R George GB)
50 Prince Taime (FR) (P J Hobbs GB)
51 Psycho (A J Martin)
52 Quiscover Fontaine (FR) (W P Mullins)
53 Recif De Thaix (FR) (P F Nicholls GB)
54 Salut Flo (FR) (D E Pipe GB)
55 Sarteano (FR) (D T Hughes)
56 Shakervilz (FR) (W P Mullins)
57 Shamrock Hall (D Hickey)
58 Shuil Aris (P Nolan)
59 Sigma Lifestyle (N Meade)
60 Swift Counsel (J O'Callaghan)
61 Tally Em Up (P J Rothwell)
62 Taravada (GB) (Mrs J Harrington)
63 Tchico Polos (FR) (P F Nicholls GB)
64 The Jazz Musician (C L Tizzard GB)
65 The Last Derby (FR) (E Griffin)
66 The Midnight Club (W P Mullins)
67 The Polomoche (N J Henderson GB)
68 Tinakellylad (M F Morris)
69 Whats Up Gorden (A Maguire)
70 Whatuthink (O McKiernan)
71 Whosaidso (D W Cullen)
72 Wickham Street (T Stack)
73 Wins Now (GB) (N Madden)
74 You're The Top (FR) (N J Henderson GB)
Friday, April 23, 2010
Rabobank Champion Hurdle
(Grade 1), €170,000, 2 miles
1 Captain Cee Bee (E P Harty)
2 Cousin Vinny (W P Mullins)
3 De Valira (J Morrissey)
4 Donnas Palm (N Meade)
5 Dunguib (P Fenton)
6 Hurricane Fly (W P Mullins)
7 Jumbo Rio (E J O'Grady)
8 Medermit (FR) (A King GB)
9 Muirhead (N Meade)
10 Punjabi (GB) (N J Henderson GB)
11 Quevega (FR) (W P Mullins)
12 Ronaldo des Mottes (FR) (D E Pipe GB)
13 Silent Oscar (H Rogers)
14 Solwhit (FR) (C Byrnes)
15 Starluck (A Fleming GB)
16 Thousand Stars (FR) (W P Mullins)
17 Voler La Vedette (C A Murphy)
18 Won In The Dark (S J Harty)
19 Zaynar (FR) (N J Henderson GB)
Cathal Ryan Memorial Champion Novice Hurdle
(Grade 1), €85,000.00, 2m 4f
1 Acapulco (E J O'Grady)
2 Arvika Ligeonniere (FR) (W P Mullins)
3 Baily Rock (M F Morris)
4 Bygones Of Brid (K McLintock GB)
5 Captain Chris (P J Hobbs GB)
6 Dr Whizz (T Mullins)
7 Duke Of Lucca (P J Hobbs GB)
8 Empire Theatre (N Meade)
9 Fionnegas (W P Mullins)
10 Gates Of Rome (C A Murphy)
11 Kerb Appeal (W P Mullins)
12 Loosen My Load (H de Bromhead)
13 Lucky William (T Cooper)
14 Lush Life (N J Henderson GB)
15 Luska Lad (J J Hanlon)
16 Magnanimity (D T Hughes)
17 Misala (J J Hanlon)
18 Morning Supreme (W P Mullins)
19 Mr Cracker (M Hourigan)
20 Peddlers Cross (D McCain Jnr GB)
21 Premier Victory (T Hogan)
22 Quadrillon (FR) (W P Mullins)
23 Quantitativeeasing (N J Henderson GB)
24 Reve de Sivola (FR) (N Williams GB)
25 Rigour Back Bob (E J O'Grady)
26 Rite Of Passage (GB) (D K Weld)
27 Seeability (P O Brady)
28 Shinrock Paddy (P Nolan)
29 Sleepy Hollow (GB) (H Morrison GB)
30 Some Present (T Mullins)
31 Start Me Up (C F Swan)
32 Steel Park (S Byrne)
33 Stonemaster (D T Hughes)
34 Thegreatjohnbrowne (N Meade)
35 Warne (E J O'Grady)
36 Whodoyouthink (O McKiernan)
37 Wishfull Thinking (GB) (P J Hobbs GB)
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Family Day At Punchestown Champion 4YO Hurdle
(Grade 1) €90,000, 2 miles
1 Alaivan (E J O'Grady)
2 Ambitious Fan (FR) (M Palussiere)
3 Barizan (E Williams GB)
4 Big Game Hunter (M F Morris)
5 Carlito Brigante (G Elliott)
6 Cross Appeal (N Meade)
7 Escort'Men (FR) (P F Nicholls GB)
8 Final Approach (GB) (W P Mullins)
9 Fingal Rock (P Casey)
10 Forty Thirty (Miss S West GB)
11 Gilded Age (GB) (A King GB)
12 Loch Long (T Collins)
13 Notus De La Tour (FR) (D E Pipe GB)
14 Orsippus (USA) (M Smith GB)
15 Point Of Light (GB) (P Nolan)
16 Politeo (FR) (P Nolan)
17 Pozyc (FR) (W P Mullins)
18 Sanctuaire (FR) (P F Nicholls GB)
19 Shanrod (M Halford)
20 Son Amix (FR) (T Cooper)
21 Sounds Of Jupiter (C Byrnes)
22 Super Kenny (N J Henderson GB)
23 Sweet My Lord (FR) (W P Mullins)
24 Tarla (FR) (W P Mullins)
25 Westlin' Winds (C R Egerton GB)
Punchestown Pavilion Hurdle (Handicap)
(0 145) (Grade B) €100,000, 2 miles
1 Acriveen (J A Berry)
2 Ainama (N J Henderson GB)
3 Amstecos (B R Hamilton)
4 Andytown (N J Henderson GB)
5 Aura About You (P Nolan)
6 Bahrain Storm (P J Flynn)
7 Beroni (W P Mullins)
8 Bob Lingo (T Mullins)
9 Boulavogue (C F Swan)
10 C'est Ca (GB) (W P Mullins)
11 Captain Cole (P Casey)
12 Caracciola (GER) (N J Henderson GB)
13 Clicksnmortar (E J O'Grady)
14 Clova Island (GB) (P J Hobbs GB)
15 Colbert Station (T M Walsh)
16 Conem (W J Austin)
17 County Zen (FR) (P J Hobbs GB)
18 Cuchulains Son (W P Mullins)
19 Dancing Hero (T Foley)
20 Deutschland (USA) (W P Mullins)
21 Dorset Square (W P Mullins)
22 Duers (P Magnier)
23 False Evidence (Mrs J Harrington)
24 Farringdon (GB) (Mrs P Dobbs)
25 Fen Game (E J O'Grady)
26 Fingers (GB) (K F O'Brien)
27 Four Chimneys (W J Austin)
28 Grangeclare Gold (D T Hughes)
29 Hampshire Express (W P Mullins)
30 Head Of The Posse (J E Kiely)
31 Healys Bar (O McKiernan)
32 Honest John (GB) (S Gollings GB)
33 Jayo (FR) (W P Mullins)
34 Jewel Of The West (N Meade)
35 Jim Bowie (N Meade)
36 Judge Roy Bean (E J O'Grady)
37 Kerada (FR) (N J Henderson GB)
38 King Of Confusion (F Murphy GB)
39 King Rama (USA) (J P Cahill)
40 Knocknabooly (W P Mullins)
41 Lethal Weapon (C Roche)
42 Lucky At Last (P Martin)
43 Magnum Force (C A McBratney)
44 Majestic Concorde (D K Weld)
45 Master Of The Hall (N J Henderson GB)
46 Merrydown (N G Richards GB)
47 Mick The Tooth (J A Berry)
48 Misala (J J Hanlon)
49 Miss Mitch (P A Fahy)
50 Montan (FR) (A J Martin)
51 Montana Slim (M O'Hare)
52 Moville (M Brassil)
53 Mull On The Run (P Nolan)
54 Native Clan (FR) (A L T Moore)
55 Paco Jack (P J Rothwell)
56 Prince Of Fire (GER) (C F Swan)
57 Quantitativeeasing (N J Henderson GB)
58 Questions Answered (E McNamara)
59 Quiamo Malta (FR) (P Nolan)
60 Radium (FR) (N J Henderson GB)
61 Rahan De Marcigny (FR) (N Meade)
62 Realt Dubh (N Meade)
63 Rocco's Hall (E J O'Grady)
64 Sam Adams (P Nolan)
65 Shazand (FR) (E J O'Grady)
66 Shuil Aris (P Nolan)
67 Siege Of Ennis (E P Harty)
68 Silk Affair (M G Quinlan GB)
69 Silver Jaro (FR) (T Hogan)
70 Silverhand (N Meade)
71 Sir Harry Ormesher (GB) (A King GB)
72 Sivota (W P Mullins)
73 Sky Hall (N Meade)
74 Tarkari (W P Mullins)
75 Tawaagg (GB) (W P Mullins)
76 The Equaliser (NZ) (C Roche)
77 The Kings Sword (A Maguire)
78 The Wandering Man (C A Murphy)
79 Thousand Stars (FR) (W P Mullins)
80 Time Electric (T Mullins)
81 Warne (E J O'Grady)
82 Wishfull Thinking (GB) (P J Hobbs GB)
The Irish National Hunt Festival runs at Punchestown from Tuesday, April 20, to Saturday, April 24. Please visit www.punchestown.com for information on tickets, race times, accommodation and hospitality packages.
