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**Yeehaa** · 21 April 2013, 04:57 PM

A bit in Irish eyes column

Never before have so many top class horses featured at what Nicky Henderson has described as 'the away leg' of the Cheltenham/Punchestown double. Henderson's Sprinter Sacre has been grabbing all the headlines but Hurricane Fly, Solwhit, Quevega, Briar Hill, Salsify, Benefficient, Champagne Fever, Holywell, Our Conor and Back In Focus are just eleven Cheltenham festival winners that are already confirmed participants.

Those horses alone would be worth travelling to see but when you consider there are also at least another ten former Cheltenham festival winners on display, including Long Run, Rock On Ruby, Sizing Europe, Sir Des Champs, Captain Chris, Riverside Theatre and Thousand Stars. The 2013 renewal is without doubt the best National Hunt festival ever run in Ireland.

Now that we have highlighted some of the reasons that you should be there, or at the very least be watching, we need to find some winners that will cover the expenses!

Sprinter Sacre will have no opposition and his race will merely be an exhibition gallop; the chance to see the highest rated national hunt horse in training in the flesh. There are however some terrific head-to-head's in store throughout the week.

One which takes our eye is Thursday's battle between Solwhit and Quevega for the Grade 1 World Series Hurdle. Solwhit has beaten Quevega at the Punchestown festival previously over two miles, in 2009. However, since she stepped up to three miles at Punchestown in 2010, Quevega has remained unbeaten and she has won this race for the last three years. That being said, she has never met a horse of Solwhit's calibre in this event, and hence he is the current favourite.

Consequently, Quevega is available at 13/8 with Sky Bet and as we feel she should actually shade favouritism, she is the value bet. She has been in superb form at home since her fifth win in the mares hurdle at Cheltenham and is technically four pounds well in with Solwhit in this race, given she is rated just three pounds below Solwhit yet she is in receipt of seven pounds from him here. When Solwhit beat Quevega in 2009, he was giving her five pounds and the race was over two miles.

As good as Solwhit is, we don't feel that he will be able to concede the additional two pounds to her over three miles this year. Add into the mix that Solwhit is attempting to win a third Grade 1 in just six weeks, whereas Quevega has not raced since her seasonal debut at Cheltenham and the only logical conclusion that can be reached is that, outside of any odds-on shots such as Sprinter Sacre etc., Quevega is the nap of the week.

Back Quevega to win the World Series Hurdle with Sky Bet

The bookmakers have priced up Tuesday's Grade 1 Herald Champion Novice Hurdle and some of them have installed Jezki as favourite to avenge his defeat in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle where Champagne Fever beat him into third place. We assume that those bookmakers are of the view that the two mile trip at Punchestown might play more into Jezki's favour that the two miles and half a furlong of the Supreme Novices' Hurdle did, up that Cheltenham hill. Also, Jezki did beat Champagne Fever over two miles at Fairyhouse earlier in the season. In our view however, the fact that bookmakers have taken the aforementioned points into consideration merely means that Champagne Fever can be backed at a more attractive price than he should be.

Champagne Fever won at last year's Cheltenham festival before doubling up at the Punchestown festival. In our eyes he showed improved form at Punchestown when he slammed subsequent Tolworth Hurdle winner, Melodic Rendezvous by seven and a half lengths. It is our opinion that he will step up on his Cheltenham performance again this year, and complete the double for the second year running. The likely soft to heavy ground on Tuesday will also be in his favour and he gets the next best vote.

Click here for completely free �10 bet at Punchestown with Sky Bet

Willie Mullins has broken all records this season and heads into the final week of the season with 181 wins, having long since smashed thorough the previous 155 record mark. He has also set a new record for prize money won in a domestic season, when Sweet My Lord sent him thorough the �3 million mark at Tramore on Saturday.

We are sticking with Mullins to bring up our Trixie courtesy of our old favourite Annie Power, who has already won twice for Irish Eyes followers in 2013. Regular readers will know that she has been considered a 2013 Champion Hurdle prospect now for some time and this is another step for the mare on her journey towards the holy grail. Having beaten geldings on her penultimate start, she reverted to mares novice company when hacking up at Fairyhouse last time out.

Her appearance in Saturday's ITBA Fillies Scheme EBF (Mares) Hurdle at Punchestown will be her first step outside of novice company but she is expected to cope with them in style and bring her unbeaten record to eight races in just eight months - a phenomenal achievement for a mare that only commenced her career last August! For those of you who did not avail of the 40/1 about her for the 2014 Champion Hurdle, she can still be backed at 20/1.

Punchestown Selections:

NAP - Quevega - 5.30 Thursday World Series Hurdle - (13/8 Sky Bet)

Next Best - Champagne Fever - 4.20 Tuesday Herald Champion Novice Hurdle - (6/4 generally)

Trixie - Annie Power - 3.45 Saturday ITBA Fillies Scheme EBF (Mares) Hurdle

**Morning Glory** · 22 April 2013, 06:19 AM

Tuesday

The prospect of the first three home in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle all lining up in the Herald Novice Hurdle is a mouth-watering one and that is one of the highlights of the week at the Irish National Hunt Festival. Adding further spice to that race is the inclusion of Willie Mullins' unbeaten mare Annie Power, who is now seven from seven and features among the 26 entries.

In the Boylesports.com Champion Novice Chase, Sprinter Sacre would pack the grandstands on the opening evening if he was to cap off his second unbeaten season over fences with a first trip to Ireland.

Trainer Nicky Henderson was quick to pinpoint Punchestown as a possible season-ending assignment for his chasing superstar.

Sprinter Sacre would be in line to meet Sizing Europe and possibly Flemenstar, who may revert to the minimum trip for the colourful Dublin trainer Peter Casey. Cue Card was another of the 17 entries.

Cheltenham's Jewson Novice Chase winner Benefficient and Willie Mullins' Kim Muir victor Back In Focus both feature in the Growise Champion Novice Chase. A strong British challenge in that race is headed by David Pipe's recent Aintree winner Dynaste.

Wednesday

Cheltenham's Gold Cup runner-up Sir Des Champs and previous winner Long Run head the 19 entries for the blue riband race of the week, the Punchestown Gold Cup.

After just failing to get the better of Bobs Worth at Cheltenham, the Willie Mullins-trained Sir Des Champs will be hopeful of returning to winning ways in this three-mile, one furlong contest, although the horse that followed him home in the Gold Cup, Long Run, is on course to make his first Irish appearance.

Michael O'Leary's Gigginstown House Stud were double handed in the Aintree Bowl, which was won by First Lieutenant, and he could line up alongside Sir Des Champs here, with Quito De La Roque, and prolific winner Roi Du Mee also representing the owner in this race.

In total, six entries were made for British-trained horses with Paul Nicholls having Kauto Stone and What A Friend; Ted Walsh's Seabass is another intriguing inclusion in the race.

Wednesday is a day for the staying distance with the three-mile novice hurdle also on the card and in that Champagne Fever also appears along with JP McManus' Cheltenham and Aintree winner At Fishers Cross. Again, Willie Mullins is mob handed with eight of the 26, Ballycasey and Un Atout others that catch the eye.

Thursday

Day three will see one of the clashes of the entire week in the Ladbrokes.com World Hurdle as Cheltenham and Aintree winner Solwhit looks to complete a memorable hat-trick but will have to overcome the sensational mare Quevega if he is to do so.

Quevega completed a Cheltenham Festival five-timer last month and, as has been the case in recent seasons, will now look to follow that up with a victory at the Punchestown Festival.

On ratings, Quevega is just 1lb higher than Charles Byrnes' stable star, but getting the mare's allowance of 7lbs could prove a major advantage in a race that is sure to attract a lot of attention.

Other Grade One action on the third day is the two-mile Ryanair Novice Chase with Benefficient also having this option, along with Powers Gold Cup winner Realt Mor and the ever popular Donald McCain horse Overturn, who lost little in defeat when just getting collared at Aintree's Grand National meeting earlier in the month.

Friday

The theme of the greatest Punchestown Festival ever runs right through to the latter end of the week and in the Rabobank Champion Hurdle a rematch between Hurricane Fly and Rock On Ruby looks well and truly on the cards.

The last two Cheltenham Champion Hurdle winners look set to cross swords in the feature on the penultimate day with Galway Hurdle winner Rebel Fitz also being asked to step up to that mantle and Quevega also holding a precautionary entry.

All the leading novices have also been given entries for Friday's Tattersalls Ireland Champion Novice Hurdle with Champagne Fever, Don Cossack, Jezki, Rule The World and Annie Power featuring.

Saturday

Punchestown's marathon festival draws to a close with its family day meeting on the Saturday, but there is no let up in the quality of action on course and the AES Champion Juvenile Hurdle will see Our Conor have his first start in the colours of Barry Connell since his high profile purchase of the Triumph Hurdle winner.

Dessie Hughes still trains the four-year-old, who is already leading the betting for next year's Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham and Hughes is looking forward to going to Punchestown with the horse that cost a reported seven figure sum following his 19-lengths annihilation of the Triumph Hurdle field last month.

Among those with the unenviable task of trying to lower his colours are nine Willie Mullins runners from just 15 entries, while Nicky Henderson's Rolling Star would be the most significant other challenger.

Also on Saturday is the ITBA Fillies Scheme EBF Mares' Grade One Hurdle, which is a new Grade One for the meeting and sees Quevega get an entry along with novices Annie Power and Glens Melody.

**Sefton** · 23 April 2013, 05:53 AM

Timeform view

15:40 Keep On Track should go well for Katie Walsh, but Near Perfection just failed to land his fifth point on his most recent outing and may prove strongest of Enda Bolger's quartet, thus earning the vote. Johnnyofcourse also finished second between the flags last time, and is another to consider.

16:20 Champagne Fever once again displayed a wonderfully willing attitude to win the Supreme Novices' at Cheltenham last month, and can confirm placings with the third-placed Jezki. Rule The World can't be ruled out.

16:55 A very competitive handicap. County Hurdle runner-up Tennis Cap is taken to bounce back from a slightly disappointing effort last time, but dangers abound, headed by Sizing Machine, Mount Colah and Shamiran.

17:30 Sprinter Sacre is a remarkable talent and should record his seventh consecutive Grade 1 success with the minimum of fuss. Sizing Europe can follow him home again.

18:05 The market will provide clues here, though Moyle Park and The Game Changer both looked good prospects when scoring at the first time of asking and head the shortlist, the former just preferred. Harvey Logan is another interesting contender, as are point-winners Classic Move and Wrath of Titans.

18:40 This looks very competitive. Willie Mullins holds a very strong hand with Back In Focus and Boston Bob, the former narrowly preferred under Ruby Walsh. Dedigout tops the list of the many potential dangers to the pair.

19:15 A host of interesting newcomers pitched in against several promising rivals with experience in a race as competitive as the numbers suggest. Sub Lieutenant is the tentative selection after an eye-catching debut, though Western Boy, Some Hawk, point winner Very Wood and debutants Wicklow Brave and Windsor Park all have something to recommend them.

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**Sefton** · 23 April 2013, 05:55 AM

IrishRacing.com

Sprinter Sacre & Moyle Park only horses tipped by both them and timeform

Race by race preview for day one of the Punchestown Festival.

3:40 Kildare Hunt Club, Fr Sean Breen Memorial Chase for the Ladies Perpetual Cup

No doubt it won't be the same for him or indeed many others without John Thomas McNamara's involvement but Enda Bolger could well help get punters off to a good start with NEAR PERFECTION. Of course Bolger has to do without Nina Carberry too but he has fine deputies on his team with the likes of Kevin Power on the selection, Katie Walsh on Keep On Track and Derek O'Connor on Mount Sion. Indeed some may perceive Zest For Life as the fourth in from Bolger's Bruree outfit but it should be noted that he won this race in 2010 and he showed up well at Cork last time behind Mossey Joe for today's rider, Tim Donworth. Anyway, before a bit of a 'wobble' in his form in recent times, you'd be investing in Near Perfection here with more than a bit of confidence. As it is he is still only an eight-year-old, he has plenty of time still to fulfil earlier promise and it's entirely possible that he'll enjoy the test that this course represents on his first public appearance over the banks. (EM)

4:20 Herald Champion Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)

After finishing first and third in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham last month, JEZKI can gain revenge on Champagne Fever by claiming this contest. The Jessica Harrington trained gelding beat Champagne Fever in the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse in December on soft ground and with conditions set to be testing, this should suit the Barry Geraghty ridden son of Milan. He finished just two and three parts of a length behind Champagne Fever at Cheltenham and he would have been even closer only for a slow jump at the last. Rule The World is perhaps the biggest danger to the selection. He is a high class horse and finished just four lengths second to The New One at Cheltenham last month with many peoples Festival banker, Pont Alexandre, a further four and a half lengths back in third. He won his maiden hurdle with ease over the course and distance last October and dropped back to the minimum trip he can be expected to go close. County Hurdle winner Ted Veale, Art Of Logistics and Mallowney make up the field and it would come as a surprise if any of them troubled the aforementioned trio. (DM)

4:55 bragbet.com Handicap Hurdle (Grade C)

Competitive contest and a chance is taken on the Jerry Cosgrave trained MOUNT COLAH. The son of Beneficial won at Navan on his penultimate start and was in the process of running another big race at Fairyhouse last time out only for a bad mistake at the final flight put pay to his chance. His jockey, Noel McParlan, will take a valuable seven pounds off and carrying a handy weight of ten stone, four pounds he looks the one to side with. Tennis Cap is sure to be popular among punters with Ruby Walsh in the saddle but he was disappointing at Fairyhouse last time out and it looked as if the six-year-old gelding could do with a break. Snap Tie won this race last year and with his rider taking seven pounds off another bold bid can be expected while Sizing Machine and Tasitiocht are two others with solid each-way claims. (DM)

5:30 Boylesports.com Champion Steeplechase (Grade 1)

It is hard to envisage anything other than a win for the star of day one at Punchestown, SPRINTER SACRE. Nicky Henderson's gelding is nine from nine over fences and he has yet to come off the bridle over the larger obstacles. He won with ease at Cheltenham and Aintree and he looks set to complete a big Festival hat-trick by rounding off his season here. He showed his versatility in terms of ground at Cheltenham in January when winning on heavy so the likely testing conditions at Punchestown shouldn't be of concern. Last year's winner Sizing Europe was beaten nineteen lengths by the selection at Cheltenham last month and there is no reason he should reverse the form. However he is a clear second best while Foildubh, Days Hotel and Noble Prince will be fighting it out for third place prize money. (DM)

6:05 Goffs Land Rover Bumper

Of course there could be a potential champion lurking here but at this stage the safest choice is MOYLE PARK. With David 'Harry' Kelly at the time, Moyle Park was well-touted before delivering in style at Leopardstown on St Stephen's Day. He then grabbed the headlines at Cheltenham's Brightwells' January Sale when selling to Harold Kirk for 250,000 pounds. Kirk got the better of Anthony Bromley, positioned at the time with Paul Nicholls. The Flemensfirth sale-topper, now a five-year-old, is the first foal out of Lovely Present. That daughter of Presenting was successful on the track and she was also placed at Grade 2 level over fences. Moyle Park beat the good yardstick, Blackmail, when scoring at Christmas and a repeat of such a performance may well see him difficult to beat. One of the principal opponents to Moyle Park is The Game Changer. He looked pretty smart when winning at Cork and he has the invaluable assistance of Derek O'Connor here. Stable representative Simon McGonagle said of Wrath Of Titans after he'd scored in a Lingstown point-to-point: "This is a classy horse and he jumped great. He handled that ground (soft to heavy) well." Wrath Of Titans is a half-brother to the good mares, Shirley Casper, Oligarch Society and Lonesome Dove and he was purchased for 150,000 Euros at last year's Goffs Land Rover Sale by Gordon Elliott Racing. Wrath Of Titans is also a half-brother to the useful Thunder And Roses and it'll be fascinating to see how he gets on here - Jane Mangan's claim meaning that he receives 17Ibs from Moyle Park. (EM)

6:40 Growise Champion Novice Steeplechase (Grade 1)

It's good to see an English raider here to spice things up a bit and it's particularly good when the visitor is a horse of HARRY TOPPER'S calibre. After the amount of favours Back In Focus has done me at this stage I'm loathe to desert him but Harry Topper just appeals a little bit more on the score of value. Tough, dour stayer that he is, perhaps Back In Focus' effort to get up and land the four-miler at Cheltenham, won't have left its mark, but if he heads the market then maybe he's a favourite to take on. The same connections Boston Bob would likely have won the RSA Chase had he not come down at the last but whether he really wants the gruelling test that this may well develop into, is open to question. Lyreen Legend, runner-up in the RSA, has to be respected, but Dedigout who finished in front of him in a Grade 1 novice hurdle here last year, may have his measure again. However it just looks like Harry Topper's campaign has been building towards a tilt at a big one this spring and he has a strong level of form including when accounting for Benefficient at Newbury in November. A horse that impresses at Exeter can go anywhere in my book and this Sir Harry Lewis gelding has twice done it well at that venue. There was a blip for Kim Bailey's gelding at Kelso last time but if everything goes to plan for him here a big performance is in the offing from Jason Maguire's mount. (EM)

7:15 Finlay Motor Group Flat Race

Wide open bumper which is sure to produce many future winners. A chance is taken on the Dermot Weld trained newcomer WINDSOR PARK who is very well bred. He is out of a full-sister to 2000 Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Peagsus and it would come as no surprise if the son of Galileo managed to win here on his debut. Point-to-point winner Very Wood has missed recent track engagements but the Gordon Elliott trained gelding is sure to be popular among punters with Jane Mangan booked to ride. Some Hawk finished second on his debut at Fairyhouse earlier this month in the Tattersalls Ireland Sales Bumper and was subsequently purchased by JP McManus. On Blueberry Hill was the one who beat him at Fairyhouse and that one was since sold for 250,000 pounds at the Brightwells Sale at Cheltenham last week. With the experience of that run under his belt a good performance can be expected from Some Hawk while Sub Lieutenant, who finished seventh in the race won by On Blueberry Hill and is a half-brother to Lord Windermere, can also be expected to come on from his debut run. Derek O'Connor is an interesting jockey booking on Vision Du Coeur who cost �75,000 at Arqana in July of last year. The Fran Flood trained newcomer runs in the colours of P'tit Fute and it will be interesting to see how he goes. Wicklow Brave, Sharon and Flemenisu are others worth considering. (DM)

**mayo** · 23 April 2013, 05:59 AM

The excellent Pat Keane

Henderson hotpot to chalk up 10th win

Tuesday, April 23, 2013
By Pat Keane

Irish punters will be afforded the opportunity to see the biggest superstar in National Hunt racing, Sprinter Sacre, strut his stuff in the boylesports.com Champion Chase at Punchestown this evening.
He has won all nine of his races over fences and, indeed, hasn’t met defeat since taking third to Al Ferof and Spirit Son in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham festival over two years ago.

His latest two victories have been awesome.

At Cheltenham, Sprinter Sacre destroyed Sizing Europe in the two-mile Champion Chase and followed by toying with the high-class Cue Card at Aintree. Anything less than a typically smooth success for Nicky Henderson’s star will amount to a major surprise.

Champagne Fever, who showed his true colours at Cheltenham, is the nap choice in a smashing renewal of the Grade 1 Herald Champion Novice Hurdle.
After a mid-season blip, when performing deplorably at Naas in January, the six-year-old came right back to form.

He won at Leopardstown, as a prelude to a career-best effort in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the festival. The grey bounded away in front from the start and found loads for Ruby Walsh pressure to hold My Tent Or Yours by half a length on the run in. My Tent Or Yours boosted the form when subsequently winning in a canter at Aintree.

Jezki was third to Champagne Fever at Cheltenham, beaten two and a three quarter lengths, and might have finished closer but for getting it wrong at the last.

He has to be respected, along with Rule The World, rather surprisingly dropped in distance, after taking second to the ultra-smart The New One in the two miles and five Neptune Management Investment Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Back In Focus, who landed the four-mile National Hunt Chase on unsuitably quick ground at Cheltenham, gets the nod in a tricky Grade 1 Growise Champion Novice Chase.

Gordon Elliott’s winning point-to-point, Very Wood, is highly regarded and can take the Finlay Motor Group Bumper.

**Yeehaa** · 23 April 2013, 10:46 AM

Jessica Harrington

23rd April 2013: Day One of the Punchestown festival

It will be sad to see the national hunt season come to an end but there is no better way to go out, than with the Punchestown festival. We go into the opening day with a team of four and I would be hopeful of getting an early winner on the board.

What a way to start the week, as Jezki will be our first runner in the Grade 1 Herald Champion Novice Hurdle. You have the first and third from Cheltenham, in Champagne Fever and Jezki, as well as County Hurdle winner Ted Veale. Champagne Fever is going to make the running and we won’t be doing anything different from Cheltenham, hoping to swoop late. Punchestown is a flatter track than Cheltenham and hopefully we could be the quicker horse. I was hoping for better ground as in the Supreme, the soft ground ensured more of a stamina test, which suited the eventual winner. He is fit and well and has been working very well. I am hopeful that we can get in front again and Barry Geraghty will renew his partnership with him.

Citizenship lines up in the competitive Bragbet.com Handicap Hurdle and although I would have preferred the ground to be better for him also, he goes there with a fighting chance. It is safe to say that Citizenship has been running a lot better than his form figures suggest. He has been shaping nicely this season in big field handicaps, without really seeing out his races fully. All I can say is that he is great form and with his nice racing weight I am hopeful of a good run. Robbie Power will partner him.

Macnicholson is up next and will need to improve on his debut effort if he is to be competitive in the Goffs Land Rover Bumper. Last time at Fairyhouse was his first experience of the racecourse and he will have learnt a lot for the run. The occasion got to him and he was far too free. He will have to learn to be more settled and not fight the jockey. We have been working on getting him to settle at home and hopefully we will see an improved effort. Kate Harrington will take the ride.

Finally Gambling Girl will be our final runner of the day and will line up in the Finlay Motor Group Flat Race. This looks wide open and along with a host of others, this will be our filly’s first experience of a race course. She is fit and well and being showing the right signs at home. She will learn a lot for the experience but should be fairly forward for this outing. Kate Harrington will partner her.

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