Punters take opening day pounding
The feature on the card was the Boylesports Champion Chase, and British raider God’s Own once again showed his suitability to the venue when upsetting odds-on favourite Vautour.
Winner of the grade one two-mile novice chase on this card in 2014, the 9-1 chance was never worse than third, moved to the front two out, and stayed on well to deny the late move of the favourite by two lengths.
“A lot of hard work has gone into this horse behind the scenes to get him here - he has not been easy,” said George.
“We always knew he was better going right-handed. We had to step up his work after Aintree and he was either going to go over the top or improve. Luckily, he has improved. We’re delighted, and Punchestown has been a lucky place for us.”
Positive mention must also go to Simonsig, having his second run since the 2013 Cheltenham Festival. Momentarily, he looked dangerous, but was run out of second place inside the final furlong.
There was a similar result for punters in the day’s first grade one, the two-mile novice hurdle, when odds-on favourite Yorkhill finished fourth behind Don’t Touch It.
From the in-form stable of Jessica Harrington, the patiently ridden 16-1 chance eased into contention as the field tightened up leaving the back-straight, got the better of Brain Power early in the straight, and picked up again to deny the renewed effort of the always prominent Petit Mouchoir by half a length.
“I’ve always thought he would be a better horse on good ground, but that was a hell of a step up for him,” admitted the winning trainer. “He jumped great off that ground.”
Of the hold-up tactics, Harrington added: “I’d say he was going as fast as he could, and it suited him because he cruised into the race, and Barry (Geraghty) said he got there too soon, as he was leery in front. But, as soon as the other horse came to him, he went on again.”
The day had begun on a positive for backers, when trainer Enda Bolger landed the Fr Seán Breen Memorial for the sixth time in seven years, doing so with 5-4 favourite Wish Ye Didnt, in the hands of Nina Carberry.
The mare looked below her best in previous outings this season, but the quicker conditions and her handler’s ability to peak her for the day combined for a convincing return to winning ways.
“She’s a natural over the banks, and is getting plenty of help from on top - they’re a good match,” said Bolger.
Coeur De Lion, trained in Kinsale by Robert Tyner, left his hurdling disappointments behind when making a winning bumper debut in the valuable Goffs Land Rover race.
Odds-on favourite Jenkins, though keen early, hit the front before the turn for home and looked in charge for most of the run to the line. However, 22-1 chance Coeur De Lion, sold by Norman Williamson to Brendan Keogh for €75,000, picked up really well under Barry O’Neill to snatch victory in the dying strides.
Said Tyner, of the promising four-year-old: “He was always a horse with a bit of class, but only recently I found out that he was more of a stayer, and that is nearly more important than having all speed - horses that stay well win races. We had a little problem with his jumping early on - he was a bit cowardly - but hopefully we’ll iron that out.”
Tempo Mac, who returned odds of 25-1 when winning the Killashee Handicap Hurdle for Gordon Elliott and jockey Luke Dempsey, may be Ballybrit-bound.
“He’s an improving horse and the better ground the better he is,” said Elliott. “He could go for the Galway Hurdle and then we could have a bit of fun on the flat with him.”
Newcomer Cilaos Emery ensured it wasn’t a barren afternoon for Willie Mullins, as the Luke McMahon-owned four-year-old made an impressive debut when staying on stoutly to deny the well-touted Someday in the concluding bumper.
“He’s obviously very smart, showed lots of gears, but he has a real staying pedigree, and showed that too, when the other horse came to him,” said Mullins.
Referencing earlier disappointments, he explained: “I was coming here this week thinking it could be a lean week. I’m happy with them all in their work, and happy to come here and let them take their chance.
“But we were doing different things with them, going to Liverpool and Sandown and places like that, so there’s every chance that one or two of them might run a bit flat. We could have more hiccups during the week.”
- The attendance, 19,825, was less than 400 down on the same day last year. Bookmaker turnover was €955,255, compared to €980,285 in 2015.
