Cheltenham hero Bob Olinger withdrawn from Punchestown at late notice due to coughing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
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.
Henry de Bromhead’s charge aiming to supplement Gold Cup heroics. By Press Association Thursday 22 Apr 2021, 3:20 PM 4 hours ago 1,391 Views 0 Comments
CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP hero Minella Indo will face a maximum of 10 rivals when he bids to follow up at Punchestown on Wednesday.
Henry de Bromhead’s charge led home stablemate A Plus Tard to win the blue riband at Prestbury Park last month under Jack Kennedy, who will once again be on board in the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup next week.
The eight-year-old is set to renew rivalry with the Willie Mullins-trained pair of Al Boum Photo and Kemboy.