UPDATED 10:22AM, APR 30 2021
Hot favourite Bob Olinger has been ruled out of today s Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown after coughing this morning.
The six-year-old was the general 4-7 favourite to fololow up his dominant win in the Ballymore Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham and uphold the form with second favourite Gaillard Du Mesnil.
Gaillard Du Mesnil had been well supported this morning prior to Bob Olinger s defection and is now the general 4-11 favourite for the Grade 1, ahead of Ashdale Bob at 5-1.
Henry de Bromhead told the Racing Post: Bob Olinger gave a little cough this morning and we just weren’t 100 per cent happy with him so we said we better err on the side of caution. It’s just one of those things. He’s had a fantastic season and he’s one we’re very much looking forward to next season.
UPDATED 12:44PM, APR 28 2021
Mark Walsh will ride Epatante for the first time when she bids to exact revenge on Honeysuckle in the Paddy Power Champion Hurdle at Punchestown on Friday.
Successful under Barry Geraghty in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham last year, the Nicky Henderson-trained Epatante needed a new partner after the rider s retirement so connections turned to Aidan Coleman.
However, the new duo were no match for Honeysuckle as she sauntered to victory in the Champion Hurdle last month, beating the third-placed Epatante by nine and a half lengths.
Walsh, a senior figure in the Irish jumps weighing room, is among the inner circle of Epatante s owner JP McManus and has had more rides in Ireland for him than anyone else.
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.
Galopin Des Champs keeps up momentum for reigning champion. By Press Association Wednesday 28 Apr 2021, 6:47 PM Apr 28th 2021, 6:47 PM 2,674 Views 0 Comments
Paul Townend on Galopin Des Champs comes home to win.
Image: James Crombie/INPHO
Image: James Crombie/INPHO
Updated Apr 28th 2021, 6:47 PM
PAUL TOWNEND STRETCHED his lead to six over Rachael Blackmore in the race to be crowned Ireland’s champion National Hunt jockey with victory on Galopin Des Champs at Punchestown today.
Townend had just the two rides to Blackmore’s four, but it was enough to see the three-time champion take a step closer to retaining his title with the scores standing at 97-91
PUNCHESTOWN TIPS: The best bets for Day 1 of Punchestown
Tuesday, April 27, 2021 );
A tricky opener to dissect but I like the trajectory of
SCHOLASTIC (9/1) for Joseph O Brien. He was eight lengths down on Cheltenham Boodles winner Jeff Kidder when they met in Fairyhouse at Easter, finishing ahead of stablemate Busselton. A couple of weeks ago, he travelled to Cheltenham and finished second to Her Indoors having met with some trouble in-running and been short of room when the race was developing two out. He also has good course form having beaten Jeff Kidder here last September. He was also second behind subsequent Triumph Hurdle winner a month later on the same track on similar ground. That will do for me.