Double delight for Walsh–Nicholls
The duo have developed into a terrific combination cross-channel and these were two fine Grade One prizes to add to their alreaady considerable gains for the campaign.
Sporazene, who had proved disappointing until being gelded, was stepping up in class in the four-year-old hurdle, but made the graduation in style. Walsh sent him to the front off the home turn and hard as Spectroscope, who had hard races at both Cheltenham and Aintree, tried he could never reel in the leader.
“He jumped like a stag and won really, really well,” said Walsh.
Commented Nicholls: “He’s still a shell of a horse and will improve an awful lot over the summer.
“After he won at Ayr I told Ruby he would win as well at Punchestown. He could be the first horse I’ve had of Champion Hurdle class. He has lots of scope and has already jumped fences. But the way he won there, I doubt he’ll be going over fences next season.”
Le Roi Miguel did it the hard way, from the front, through torrential rain, to win the novice ’chase.He jumped brilliantly and was holing Rathgar Beau when that one blundered at the last, leaving the winner to go clear of the running-on Impek.
“It was fantastic for a five-year-old to be able to do that,” said Nicholls. “It was a great performance, he’s a pure two-miler.
“The problem next season will be avoiding Azertyuiop (impressive winner of the Arkle at Cheltenham and also trained by Nicholls), but they will have to meet sometime.”
Willie Mullins’ Holy Orders looks a reformed character and he followed a recent success on the level at Navan with a game display in the Ballymore Properties Stayers’ Hurdle.
When favourite Sacundai nipped through on the inside of front-running Commanche Court before the straight he looked the likely winner.But Holy Orders, superbly handled by Shay Barry, threw down a strong challenge going to the last. They were in the air together, but Holy Orders found more in the last 50 yards to score by half a length.
“I am delighted with that, Shay gave him a great ride,” said Mullins. “The horse seems far happier over three miles than two.He will probably have a flat campaign, but the French Champion Hurdle, which is run over three and a quarter miles, is an option.”
Holy Orders is one of seven left in today’s feature, the Emo Oil Champion Hurdle, but Mullins said he was “unlikely” to meet the engagement.
Barry completed a double when John Hassett’s Back On Top ran away with the Castlemartin Stud Pat Taaffe Handicap ’Chase. Back On Top, 6-1 to 9-2, jumped ahead four out and was holding The Dell when that one fell, when in second spot, at the penultimate obstacle.
Buailtes And Fadas became the first horse to score twice at the meeting - he did the business as well on Wednesday - when putting up a tremendous display to take the four miles plus Quinns Of Baltinglass La Touche Cup. He made every yard of the running, under Conor O’Dwyer, and clearly had Shady Lad’s measure when he and Ken Whelan went their separate ways at the last.
The eight-year-old is trained by Enda Bolger, who has an amazing record in this unique event. Bolger trained Risk Of Thunder to win the race fives times, he actually won it on seven occasions in all, and he also rode Howyanow to score for Pat Hogan.
“This is an amazing horse,” said Bolger. “We took him home on Wednesday night and he pulled out grand in the morning. He’s the same as Risk Of Thunder, the name of the game with him is his jumping.”
Trainer-rider Pat Verling enjoyed his first Punchestown Festival success, with his first runner, when Sabadilla landed the Aon Group-Sean Barrett Bloodstock Insurances’ Handicap Hurdle.
Peace In Ireland tried to make all, in a contest in which very few ever threatened to get in a blow.It was Sabadilla, however, who held all the aces in the closing stages, quickening past the gallant front-runner in the final 100 yards.
Some major wagers went west on Ground Ball in the betfair.com Novice ’Chase. Taken from 5-2 to 6-4, he proved no match for Beachcomber Bay.The winner just about held the call over Ground Ball jumping two out and was soon pushed well clear by Ian Power.
John Kiely and Derek O’Connor continued their recent good run when newcomer, Blazing Liss, swept through late to win the Bumper by two lengths.
Blazing Liss is owned by one of Kiely’s long standing patrons, Dottie Flynn from Dungaravan, and Kiely remarked: “Dottie has five sons and this will be a great tonic for one of them, Donal, who is very ill in America.”
