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.
Monday
The calm before the storm and with the British jumps season having come to a thrilling climax on Saturday, six Flat meetings across Britain and Ireland start a fascinating week.
The pick of the day s racing comes from Navan where the Listed Anglesey Lodge Equine Hospital Woodlands Stakes (2.25) is the feature of an eight-race card.
Ayr hosts the first of its two-day meeting to herald the beginning of its Flat season, Lingfield and Southwell host all-weather afternoon fixtures and Windsor and Thirsk keep the action going well into the evening.
Tuesday
The jumps season might be over in Britain, but there is plenty still to play for in Ireland as the five-day Punchestown festival gets under way with three Grade 1s.
UPDATED 2:36PM, APR 25 2021
Irish champion jockey Paul Townend will make a timely return to the saddle on the opening day of the Punchestown Festival after being booked to ride in each of Tuesday s three Grade 1s, providing a huge boost for the Willie Mullins team ahead of the biggest week in Irish jump racing.
Townend has been sidelined since injuring his foot after falling from Egality Mans at Fairyhouse earlier in the month, an injury which forced him to miss the Grand National meeting at Aintree, but he has been declared fit to ride at the five-day extravaganza.
The 30-year-old’s return comes at the perfect time as he is coming under increasing pressure from Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National winner Rachael Blackmore in the race to be Ireland’s leading jockey this season.
UPDATED 6:37PM, APR 6 2021
Gary Moore has confirmed Goshen will be aimed at the Grade 1 Punchestown Champion Hurdle on April 30, with bookmakers Paddy Power adding extra incentive through a £100,000 bonus.
Honeysuckle will face at least one British challenger should she go to the Punchestown festival with trainer Moore on Monday confirming Goshen for the rematch.
And on Tuesday Paddy Power announced they are offering a six-figure bonus to any British-trained runner who travels to Punchestown and wins the Champion Hurdle, a race the bookmaker sponsor.
The cheeky incentive comes after Ireland dominated last month s Cheltenham Festival, winning 23 of the 28 races.
Spokesperson Paddy Power said: We gave the Brits a beating at Cheltenham and now we re laying down a challenge to the tune of £100k – come and have a go if you think you re good enough.