Juveigneur books Festival place with a facile success

THE Eugene O’Sullivan-trained Juveigneur booked his passage for next month’s Cheltenham Foxhunters by recording a facile success in the open lightweight at yesterday’s Kildorrery point-to-point, run under the auspices of the Duhallow Foxhounds on the Vaughan family’s lands at Rockmills Stud where it has been staged since 1979.

Juveigneur (1/2), a former six-time track winner for Nicky Henderson that was only short-headed in the 2007 renewal of the William Hill Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham festival, went into the lead after the sixth fence. The victorious 12-year-old pulled clear of Batt O’Connell’s Rudi Trucker from the second last, six lengths being the ultimate winning margin. Berkley secured the minor honours, five lengths further adrift.

“He missed the open at Dromahane on New Year’s Day due to a slight muscle problem. He really needed this run here today and I expect that he will improve a lot. Fingers crossed, it’s straight to Cheltenham now,” said O’Sullivan of Juveignuer, owned by Trevor Hemmings.