Nicholls eyes Champion Hurdle for Sporazene
Paul Nicholls believes he could have a serious Smurfit Champion Hurdle prospect following Sporazene’s victory in the IAWS Champion Four Year Old Hurdle at Punchestown.
An easy winner at Ayr recently, Sporazene showed an impressive change of gear to defeat fellow British raider, Jonjo O’Neill’s Spectroscope, and Irish-trained favourite Golden Cross.
Ruby Walsh already had the winner’s prize of €68,200 in safekeeping early in the home straight as Sporazene went clear of Starzaan and although Spectroscope ran on strongly he was still two lengths adrift of the 7-1 scorer at the finish.
“He is still lean and backward so he will come on a lot for his summer break. He was immature earlier in the season but we gelded him and we might now have a Champion Hurdle horse on our hands next spring,” enthused Nicholls.
Walsh explained that he was probably in front a bit sooner than he had anticipated.
“He jumped up nearly too well four out and was there early enough, but the ground was on the easy side and he was soon in command,” said the rider, who was resuming following a nasty fall in Tuesday’s opener and a day’s suspension on Wednesday.
The Ditcheat trainer had double reason to celebrate making a flying visit to the Irish track as 8-11 hot-pot Le Roi Miguel completed a Grade One double at odds of 12.8-1 for him and Walsh by making all the running in the Swordlestown Cup Novice Chase which was run in a downpour.
“Nobody seemed keen to go on so I made the best of it. It was very slippy the whole way, so it was a good and brave performance to do it from the front by this horse,” said Walsh.
Nicholls was understandably elated by the display although he did admit he will have a headache next season attempting to keep Le Roi Miguel and Arkle Trophy winner Azertyuiop apart.
“It was some performance for a five-year-old in those conditions. There’s lots of improvement in the horse, though he’s going to be a two-miler and at some stage he’ll have to meet Azertyuiop next season.”
