Cheltenham hero Bob Olinger withdrawn from Punchestown at late notice due to coughing
Henry de Bromhead’s Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle winner will not take part in today’s Champion Novice Hurdle. By Press Association Friday 30 Apr 2021, 11:06 AM 10 hours ago 1,941 Views 6 Comments
Rachael Blackmore and Bob Olinger after their Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle victory at Cheltenham.
Image: PA
Image: PA
BOB OLINGER IS a late absentee from Friday’s Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle.
Henry de Bromhead’s hugely impressive Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle winner was found to be coughing on the morning of the race.
Having claimed a clean sweep of the Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase and Gold Cup at Cheltenham, De Bromhead has yet to fire at Punchestown – and Gold Cup hero Minella Indo was also a late absentee with a stone brui
De Bromhead’s brilliant mare to face seven rivals on Friday. By The42 Team Wednesday 28 Apr 2021, 11:31 AM 7 hours ago 1,336 Views 0 Comments
HENRY DE BROMHEAD fires a three-strong team in the Paddy Power Champion Hurdle at Punchestown – with the peerless Honeysuckle at the forefront.
The brilliant mare has taken her form to a new level this season, winning a second Irish Champion Hurdle before a dominant display in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.
She is 11 from 11 under Rules and is odds-on to remain unbeaten against seven rivals on Friday.
De Bromhead also fields the five-year-old Aspire Tower, a fine fourth at Cheltenham, and Jason The Militant who unseated Rachael Blackmore at Aintree.
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NUBE Negra (7/1) can cause a minor surprise in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase, today s feature race at the Cheltenham Festival. Backing against Chacun Pour Soi (10/11) may prove folly, of course, but as yet the big-race favourite still needs to prove his appetite for the Cheltenham hill. While Willie Mullins hotpot has been beaten just once in Ireland since his move from France in 2016, in all that time we have only seen him in action seven times. Nevertheless, as a nine-year-old he should be at his peak now - although there is obviously a fragility about him, which reared its head 12 months ago when he was ruled out on the morning of the race.
Chacun Pour Soi should give Mullins full-house with Champion Chase win Greg Wood
Nine horses have set off at odds-on to win the Queen Mother Champion Chase this century and six have been beaten, including two – Douvan (at 2-9) and Un De Sceaux (4-6) – trained by Willie Mullins in one of the few races at the Festival he has yet to win. It is difficult to imagine that record extending beyond Wednesday, however, as a repeat of Chacun Pour Soi’s form in either of his recent wins at Leopardstown should be more than enough.
The favourite’s previous lack of experience at Cheltenham is the only real concern, though First Flow and Politologue could ask a few questions with a strong gallop.