Foreman a knockout

THIERRY DOUMEN created a mild surprise when landing the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown yesterday with Foreman. It was his first ever runner in Ireland, his first winner in Ireland as a trainer and a first success in a Grade One for the 24-year-old.

The result caused little more than a ripple in the Champion Hurdle ante-post market with Coral, Victor Chandler and Cashmans going 20-1. Ladbrokes offered 25-1.

The often-maligned Doumen was in the plate as well and rode the perfect race. “I had plenty of cover and he is a lovely, tough horse”, reported the immaculate Frenchman.

From an Irish point of view this was a disastrous contest, with Davenport Milenium and Golden Cross’ Cheltenham aspirations sunk without trace, while Spirit Leader did little to enhance her prospects either.

Fota Island took them along at a sedate pace, until Ruby Walsh decided to step on the gas coming away from the third last, easing Davenport Milenium into the lead.

Davenport Milenium, however, had no more to offer early in the straight, as Fota Island went back to the front.

For a few strides on the approach to the last, Fota Island looked the most likely winner. But he didn’t get away from the back of the flight with any great alacrity and Foreman soon surged past.

Fran Flood immediately asked Georges Girl to go in pursuit, but Doumen was seen to good effect and his charge held on to score by a head.

It was a further length and a half to Fota Island, in front of Spirit Leader and Davenport Milenium.

Doumen returned with his face covered in blood, having been hit by Foreman’s head. The winner, owned by J P McManus, was far from neglected in the ring, 10-1 to 8-1, and afterwards Doumen remarked: “I was very confident, it was just a question of finding the right race and today was the day.

“I ran him at Cheltenham last year in the SunAlliance and it should have been the Supreme Novices. He is getting better every day. The gallop was slow at the start, but it quickened down the back and then got quicker and quicker.

“This is my first Grade One as a trainer and I am very happy to have it for Mr McManus, he has been very good to me. He is the only one he has with me at the moment.

“I have 20 horses at Chantilly. My father (Francois) is at Normandy, but we often get together. I am just a young trainer and it is very nice of J P to give me a horse.”

This was the sixth time McManus has won the AIG. He is currently on holidays and was represented by his racing manager, Frank Berry.

Said Berry: “This horse ran well at Kmepton previously and we were really pleased with him. I would think it will be straight to the Champion Hurdle now. I doubt he’s Champion Hurdle standard, but is entitled to line up.”

Foreman, however, has a very attractive 10-6 in the Tote Gold Trophy at Newbury, so, perhaps, that will metit some consideration.

In any case it is hard to disagree with Berry. Certainly the proximinty of Georges Girl lends plenty weight to his sort of thinking.

Georges Girl has never been regarded as anything but a handicapper and was third in the Pierse Hurdle behind Dromlease Express previously.

Fourth placed Spirit Leader shouldn’t be totally discounted as a possible Champion Hurdle winner.

She did stay on well enough and is likely to be far more at home on a decent surface and granted a swinging gallop at Cheltenham. Nevertheless, she now has it all to prove.

Golden Cross, successful in the Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown at Christmas, ran no sort of race, only managing to beat no-hoper, Stage Affair.