Deputy Ireland editor and Upping The Ante star David Jennings takes you through the card on day one of the Punchestown festival on Tuesday headlined. Read More
The 2022 Punchestown Festival gets under way tomorrow and Rachael Blackmore partners Envoi Allen and Bob Olinger for Henry de Bromhead in the Grade 1 William Hill Champion Steeplechase and the Grade 1 Dooley Insurance Champion Novice Steeplechase respectively.
Two of the leading novice hurdlers in Ireland are set to clash on the first day of the Punchestown festival when Ballymore winner Sir Gerhard takes on Dysart Dy
Chacun has Townend purring at Punchestown
Reporter:
robert.cribbin@kilkennypeople.ie
Willie Mullins completed a Grade 1 treble on the opening day of the Punchestown Festival as Chacun Pour Soi and Paul Townend win the William Hill Champion Chase );
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A vintage renewal of the Grade 1 William Hill Champion Chase saw Chacun Pour Soi storm to victory for Willie Mullins, Paul Townend and Susannah Ricci providing reigning champion jockey Townend with a welcome winner.
The six-runner field was led along at a hair-raising gallop in the early stages and despite being headed briefly by stable companion Allaho in the early stages, Chacun Pour Soi extended on the approach to the straight and eased clear under Paul Townend to win by five and a half lengths from a staying on again Allaho with Nube Negra back in third.
They took the first upsides at breakneck speed and it continued thereafter.
Allaho led marginally over the second under Blackmore, then Chacun Poir Soi took the third and fourth in front as Townend switched his mount outside. It was like watching two flyweight boxers exchange a flurry of early punches.
As Allaho began to feel the pinch on his first start at the minimum trip over fences, First Flow was then squeezed on to Chacun Pour Soi’s shoulder, with Nube Negra watching them all they way on the inner under Harry Skelton. One thing is for sure, there would be no freebies here.