Farmer yields to Punchestown purse

Pat Hughes is planning a crack at the Punchestown Festival with Farmer Brown following his creditable run in the Champion Hurdle.

The seven-year-old, who won the ultra-competitive Galway Hurdle earlier in the season, finished eighth at the Cheltenham Festival and his handler is now eyeing compensation closer to home.

Hughes said: “He was probably interfered with at the last and might have been fifth but for that.

“He was on the heels of the leaders but just couldn’t get there. When he was interfered with, that was his chance really gone.

“I would say he will (go to Punchestown). He will probably go for the two-mile hurdle at Punchestown (ACCBank Champion Hurdle).”

Fellow Irish runner Sizing Europe was sent off the 2-1 favourite in the Champion but trailed home last of 14 finishers after looking a likely winner two-out.

Hughes was not surprised by the eclipse of Henry De Bromhead’s market leader as he feels the form of his AIG Europe Champion Hurdle win did not stack up.

“I was never a fan of Sizing Europe for the Champion Hurdle. I actually fancied the winner and my son backed him, but I didn’t have a bet in the race,” he told At The Races.

“Leopardstown turned out to be a bad race. Lounaos was fourth – she was rated 12lb under Sizing Europe and went up 7lb for being fourth and I think that’s crazy.

“Of the second and third horses, I saw Hardy Eustace in a schooling race at Leopardstown and he finished ninth of 10 schoolers and that was an indication in itself.

“Al Eile ran at Dundalk and didn’t run much of a race either.”