No need to oppose Quevega at these weights
He jumped well, but never went a yard. I was never happy and it was the performance by a horse at the end of a long season.
The reception, however, he got from the crowd was terrific. It’s the first time in my career, I have returned to applause on a short-priced favourite, which pulled up.
Willie Mullins runs three in the Grade 1 stayers’ hurdle today, but I had no hesitation siding with Quevega.
She’s a terrific mare and how could I even contemplate getting off the seven-year-old? We have won the last three runnings of the mares’ hurdle at the Cheltenham festival and I just love riding her.
She will, of course, be the freshest in the field, as this will only be her second outing of the campaign.
Quevega was quite brilliant on her latest appearance at Cheltenham, although we have to accept that was a modest contest.
Nevertheless, she could only deal with what was put in front of her and really couldn’t have won any more easily.
As you all know well I’m Mikael D’Haguenet’s biggest fan, but he never got his act together over fences and is now reverting to hurdles.
I rode him at Fairyhouse last week and he was disappointing. It wasn’t just his jumping, it was the fact he didn’t go forward towards the end of the race, after I had given him every chance to do so.
You cannot knock Mourad’s form and he seems to be getting better and better. He ran a cracking race, a career-best, when third to Big Buck’s and Grands Crus at Cheltenham.
But Quevega came back from Cheltenham a year ago to beat Mourad in this race and that has to be a major consideration.
The handicapper says Quevega is 4lbs better than both Mourad and Mikael D’Haguenet. She gets 5lbs here, so it is essentially a no-brainer!
The big hurdle isn’t the only poser Willie sets through the course of the evening and he starts with three runners in the winners’ of one hurdle.
I team up with Bagber and he has a chance, no more than that. Bagber won nicely first time out for Willie at Gowran Park, but this is far tougher.
He is working nicely at home, but can be quite keen and will have to settle. I’m not entirely sure how he fits into the scheme of things at the moment.
Popcorn will love the trip and the ground, while Rattan was impressive in a moderate race at Ballinrobe.
You’d imagine the one we all have to beat is Nicky Henderson’s Prince Of Pirates, who was left clear at Cheltenham back in December when Al Ferof fell two out.
Perhaps, he wouldn’t have won that day, but it was still a fair effort, considering Al Ferof went on to win the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Tawaagg has decent prospects in a handicap chase. He lacks experience, I suppose, but does have that touch of class, which can be so important.
He bolted in at Gowran Park, but followed that with a below-par effort at Navan. If jumping well and getting into a rhythm, he shouldn’t be far away.
There are 25 runners in a handicap hurdle and Willie supplies six of them. Lios A Choill is owned by J P McManus, so Tony McCoy rides him.
Aughaloor is owned by Willie’s wife, Jackie, and their son, Patrick, partners that horse.
That left me with the other four and I’ve gone with Sir Vincent. I’m far from sure it’s the right choice and it was a bit like throwing darts at a dart board.
Anyway, Sir Vincent was a bit unlucky when second at Fairyhouse last week, meeting interference at a vital stage. I think we should have won that day, so let’s try again.
I end on Osirixamix in the novice chase, but only a supreme optimist could envisage him playing a part.
Captain Chris’ win in the Arkle at Cheltenham speaks for itself and I’ll be surprised should he fail to deliver.
Willie’s Vesper Bell, who has shown a hell of a lot of improvement at home of late, should run well in the bumper.
Just a quick word about the ground at Punchestown this week. I have to say they have done an unbelievable job.
The chase course is two miles round and the hurdle course a mile and six. That takes some watering and is a massive undertaking. It has been totally safe and you simply cannot praise them enough.
