Punchestown News: Long Run seeking Gold

Amateur jockey Sam Waley-Cohen is hoping to make his first ride at Punchestown a winning one when Long Run contests the Punchestown Gold Cup tomorrow...

Nicky Henderson's dual King George winner will face seven rivals in the feature race of the meeting, including his stablemate Riverside Theatre.

Long Run finished third in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham for the second successive year, but for the last four seasons his campaign has ended in Gloucestershire.

This year, however, connections are keen to let him have one more spin.

"He appears to have come out of Cheltenham very well and seems to be enjoying life so we thought we'd rise to the challenge and take on Ireland," said Waley-Cohan.

"You can never be sure that a horse has fully recovered from a race like the Gold Cup but the horse usually tells you himself if he's up to another run and everything we've seen tells us that he is, he's been working very well.

"I've never ridden at Punchestown before and am really excited to be going over there.

"This is one of the great racing festivals and it's a real thrill to be part of it."

Willie Mullins runs Gold Cup runner-up Sir Des Champs while in the same Gigginstown Stud ownership Mouse Morris' Aintree Bowl winner First Lieutenant and Colm Murphy's Quito De La Roque take their chance.

Paul Nicholls, who won the race twice with Neptune Collonges in 2007 and 2008, is represented by Kauto Stone, with Philip Hobbs, successful with Planet Of Sound in 2010, running Captain Chris, second to Long Run in the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Gordon Elliott's Chicago Grey completes the field.

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Punchestown Gold Cup: Timeform's runner-by-runner guide

"Sir Des Champs has graduated into a top-class chaser this term, winning Irish Hennessy before giving best only late on when second to Bobs Worth..."

Timeform guide you through a fascinating renewal of the Gold Cup, staged at 17:30 on Wednesday...

Captain Chris won at this meeting in 2011. Better than ever when second in King George (beaten neck by Long Run) and Ascot Chase this term, but needs to bounce back from below-form sixth in Gold Cup last time.

Chicago Grey got back to best when springing a bit of a surprise in Navan Grade 2 in February. Probably best to forgive subsequent poor run in Grand National but biting off more than he can chew at this level.

First Lieutenant has posted solid efforts at the top level since tried in cheekpieces, second in Lexus and Ryanair before going one better in Betfred Bowl at Aintree earlier this month. Sure to give it his usual good shot.

Kauto Stone beat First Lieutenant at Down Royal in November. Flopped in King George next time and no better back over hurdles in January, but wouldn't be a massive shock if he bounced back after short break.

Long Run wore down Captain Chris to land a second King George in December. Good third in Gold Cup in cheekpieces (on again), but has 2¾ lengths to make up with Sir des Champs on that running.

Quito De La Roque is a high-class chaser who returned to best to win Thurles Grade 2 in January and another good effort when fourth to First Lieutenant at Aintree last time. Likely to come up little short again.

Riverside Theatre was a top-class performer at his best, winning Ascot Chase and Ryanair last season. Better effort this term when fourth to Cue Card at Cheltenham last time but was never going with much fluency.

Sir Des Champs was unbeaten during his novice season and has graduated into a top-class chaser this term, winning Irish Hennessy before giving best only late on when second to Bobs Worth in Gold Cup last time.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Sir Des Champs
2. First Lieutenant
3. Long Run

Timeform Verdict: A cracking renewal of this Grade 1 prize. Sir Des Champs is likely to be tough to beat if fully recovered from a hard race in the Gold Cup, with the same owner's First Lieutenant just preferred to Long Run for the forecast spot.

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Supreme third Jezki set for Punchestown date

Despite losing his unbeaten record over hurdles, Jezki was far from disgraced in finishing third behind Champagne Fever and My Tent Or Yours...

Jessica Harrington's Jezki remains on course for next month's Punchestown Festival following his excellent run in defeat in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham...

The five-year-old was the long-term ante-post favourite for the Festival curtain-raiser, before being usurped at the head of the market by fellow JP McManus-owned runner My Tent Or Yours.

Despite losing his unbeaten record over hurdles, Jezki was far from disgraced in finishing third behind Champagne Fever and My Tent Or Yours and Harrington is looking forward to his next appearance.

"He came home in good form and he'll probably go to Punchestown for the two-mile novice there, all being well," said the trainer.

Jezki's half-brother Jetson also performed admirably at Cheltenham, taking third place in the Pertemps Final.

Harrington said: "He'll be entered in Fairyhouse but it's more likely he'll go to Aintree for the three-mile handicap hurdle there. He could then go to Punchestown for a hurdle race or a novice chase."

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Punchestown: Fabulous entries for five day Festival

News / Timeform / 05 April 2012 / Leave a Comment

Jewson winner Sir des Champs will run at Punchestown.

“It’s been so far so good with Sir Des Champs so let’s hope he stays sound for Punchestown..."

The entries have been announced for the first two days of the 2012 Punchestown Festival and a whole array of stars look set to line up at Ireland's flagship National Hunt meeting...

Wednesday's feature, the Punchestown Gold Cup, has attracted 32 entries, compared to 14 last year, and a fantastic contest is in store.

There are 10 entries from Britain including Sir Alex Ferguson's What A Friend and Aerial from Paul Nicholls' stable. Meanwhile actor Jimmy Nesbitt's Ryanair Chase winner Riverside Theatre is one of three engaged from Nicky Henderson's yard along with Cheltenham Gold Cup fourth Burton Port and Quantitativeeasing.

The 2010 Punchestown Gold Cup winner Planet Of Sound could represent Philip Hobbs alongside Captain Chris, who is on course for a visit to Ireland, while Donald McCain has engaged the 2011 Grand National winner Ballabriggs and Charlie Hall Chase hero Weird Al.

A strong home team include last year's winner Follow The Plan and the exciting novice First Lieutenant, who could carry the colours of Michael O'Leary's Gigginstown House Stud in the championship event.

The seven-year-old, who finished second to Bobs Worth in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham, is also entered in the Grade 1 Champion Novice Chase on Tuesday, on April 24, but the brilliant novice Sir Des Champs - winner of Cheltenham's Jewson Novices' Chase - is likely to carry the Gigginstown colours in that race.

"If all goes well and both are sound on the day then Sir Des Champs would go for the Champion Novice Chase on the first day of the meeting," said Eddie O'Leary, racing manager to Gigginstown House Stud.

"I'm not saying he definitely will, but First Lieutenant could go for the Gold Cup. We've kept the two of them apart all year and I think we will still try and keep them apart.

"It's been so far so good with Sir Des Champs so let's hope he stays sound for Punchestown.

"It was a fantastic run by First Lieutenant at Cheltenham and we've been very happy with him. He was beaten by a very good horse that day and perhaps the ground was a bit too soft for him over there."

The Gigginstown colours are also set to be carried in the Punchestown Gold Cup by Quito De La Roque, who looked a hugely exciting prospect before disappointing in the Lexus Chase on December 28.

"All being well Quito will go for the Gold Cup and he's very, very well," said O'Leary.

"We were all very disappointed the last day when he got beaten but he was sick afterwards.

"Hopefully we'll see him back to his best again at Punchestown."

Trainer Noel Meade revealed today that Realt Dubh, who finished fifth in the two-mile Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham on his only start this season, is set to step up in trip for the Punchestown Gold Cup.

"I think Realt Dubh will run in the Punchestown Gold Cup over three miles and one furlong," said Meade.

"I don't know if the trip will bring out improvement because last year when he got beat in the Drinmore Novice Chase I worried that he didn't get two and a half miles, but then he won the Powers Gold Cup over two and a half.

"I just think two miles is too short for him and there is no two and a half mile race at Punchestown so the three mile and one furlong race is the one he will go for.

"That's what the plan is at the moment anyway. But if it was really heavy ground he would probably go for the Champion Chase over two miles at Punchestown.

"It was his first run for a long time in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham and he ran OK. He didn't run in the Webster Cup at Navan on Saturday because of the ground."

See top racing at some of the UK's premier tracks free with Betfair and Jockey Club racecourses...

With Betfair sponsoring what promises to be an informative jumps card at Haydock on Saturday, Timeform cast an early glance over the three televised races and hopefully point you toward some winners......

Camelot, favourite for the 2000 Guineas and Derby, is among Aidan O'Brien's 24 entries for the Dante Stakes at York on May 17......

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Tied Cottage Result: Europe conquers Zeb at Punchestown

The Cheltenham Festival / Timeform / 05 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

Sizing Europe won the Tied Cottage Chase.

"He should improve for that - he hasn't run since the Tingle Creek..."

Current champion chaser Sizing Europe defeated former champion Big Zeb in the Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown...

The Henry de Bromhead-trained 10-year-old dismissed Colm Murphy's 2010 Champion Chase winner with relative ease in what turned into a straight shootout in the Grade Two heat.

Andrew Lynch adopted positive tactics on Sizing Europe and took over from the big outsider Imperial Shabra on jumping the first fence, after which he was never headed.

Big Zeb loomed up, looking briefly threatening between the final two fences, before Lynch kicked clear to settle matters.

Big Zeb had been favourite all week, but there was plenty of confidence in Sizing Europe on course and the pair swopped positions in the market.

Both had met with defeat in the race 12 months ago, when the ill-fated Golden Silver proved successful, but they went on to dominate the finish at Cheltenham two months later.

Lynch said: "He's done it well. The plan was to go out and enjoy it and use his jumping.
"I wanted to use his big stride and though the ground was tacky he's getting stronger now and handles it better.

"He should improve for that - he hasn't run since the Tingle Creek."

A disappointed Murphy said of Big Zeb: "Robbie Power was never happy with him today - he said he was always niggling just to keep in touch.

"In fairness, the winner was very good - he's gone a proper gallop on heavy ground.
"We'll improve for the run, but we'll have to.

"Robbie said he was beat before the first fence. It was always a worry running on that ground, it was proper testing.

"Cheltenham is still the plan."

Sizing Europe is currently available at [2.52] to defend his Champion Chase crown, whilst Big Zeb can be backed at [7.8].

Colm Murphy feels Voler La Vedette is better than she showed in defeat behind Zaidpour at Gowran last time out......

Connections of Binocular will have to go back to the drawing board after the abandonment of Saturday's card at Sandown......

The two dominant forces in the two-mile chase division are due to clash in Sunday's Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown......

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Tied Cottage Result: Europe conquers Zeb at Punchestown

The Cheltenham Festival / Timeform / 05 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

Sizing Europe won the Tied Cottage Chase.

"He should improve for that - he hasn't run since the Tingle Creek..."

Current champion chaser Sizing Europe defeated former champion Big Zeb in the Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown...

The Henry de Bromhead-trained 10-year-old dismissed Colm Murphy's 2010 Champion Chase winner with relative ease in what turned into a straight shootout in the Grade Two heat.

Andrew Lynch adopted positive tactics on Sizing Europe and took over from the big outsider Imperial Shabra on jumping the first fence, after which he was never headed.

Big Zeb loomed up, looking briefly threatening between the final two fences, before Lynch kicked clear to settle matters.

Big Zeb had been favourite all week, but there was plenty of confidence in Sizing Europe on course and the pair swopped positions in the market.

Both had met with defeat in the race 12 months ago, when the ill-fated Golden Silver proved successful, but they went on to dominate the finish at Cheltenham two months later.

Lynch said: "He's done it well. The plan was to go out and enjoy it and use his jumping.
"I wanted to use his big stride and though the ground was tacky he's getting stronger now and handles it better.

"He should improve for that - he hasn't run since the Tingle Creek."

A disappointed Murphy said of Big Zeb: "Robbie Power was never happy with him today - he said he was always niggling just to keep in touch.

"In fairness, the winner was very good - he's gone a proper gallop on heavy ground.
"We'll improve for the run, but we'll have to.

"Robbie said he was beat before the first fence. It was always a worry running on that ground, it was proper testing.

"Cheltenham is still the plan."

Sizing Europe is currently available at [2.52] to defend his Champion Chase crown, whilst Big Zeb can be backed at [7.8].

Colm Murphy feels Voler La Vedette is better than she showed in defeat behind Zaidpour at Gowran last time out......

Connections of Binocular will have to go back to the drawing board after the abandonment of Saturday's card at Sandown......

The two dominant forces in the two-mile chase division are due to clash in Sunday's Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown......

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Timeform Irish Tips: Punchestown Festival Day Three

Tipping / Stuart Jones / 05 May 2011 / Leave a Comment

They are also racing on the cross-country track in the La Touche Cup

"Thomas Mullins' representative has always looked the type to make a better chaser, a big scopey individual, and we expect him to prove at least useful over the larger obstacles,with this two-mile handicap a stepping stone to better things for Dr Whizz".

Two win selections and a place lay in the Grade 1 World Series Hurdle for day three of the Punchestown Festival...

Dr Whizz (16.15) was going best of all when falling three out in a handicap won by The Sneezer a Gowran last time and looks to have been found a suitable opportunity to make amends in the second race on the card. Thomas Mullins' representative has always looked the type to make a better chaser, a big scopey individual, and we expect him to prove at least useful over the larger obstacles,with this two-mile handicap a stepping stone to better things for Dr Whizz.

There is no doubting Voler La Vedette (17.30) is a thoroughly likable mare, her battling qualities there for all to see when she rallied to beat Blackstairmountain at Fairyhouse little over a week ago, but she hasn't had long to recover from a hard race and looks worth opposing in the Grade 1 World Series Hurdle. Her record at the very top level isn't brilliant and her chances of getting placed are no greater than Carlito Brigante, Luska Lad or Rigour Back Bob, yet she is much shorter in the betting than all three of those rivals.

Alfa Beat heads the market for what is a competitive staying handicap due off at 18.05, and deservedly so. The Charles Byrnes-trained gelding is a five-time winner over fences in 2010/11 and was a solid fourth in the amateur riders chase at Cheltenham in March (fell at Aintree since). His hurdles mark is fully 20 lb below the one in which he won the Kerry National from in September, and with conditions to suit, it would be no surprise to see Alfa Beat make a mockery of a mark of just 117.

Recommendations

back Dr Whizz @ 4.0 in the 16.15
place lay Voler La Vedette @ 2.7 in the 17.30
back Alfa Beat @ 4.7 in the 18.05

Two backs and a lay for Thursday from Timeform's US team......

The feature race of day two is the Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup featuring Kauto Star, but we look elsewhere for the three best bets on Wednesday's card....

Three bets for Wednesday from the Timeform Free Form site......

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Timeform Radio Punchestown Festival Preview Podcast

Ireland / Joe Dyer / 22 April 2011 / Leave a Comment

Can Hurricane Fly follow up his Champion Hurdle win with Punchestown glory?

The five-day Punchestown Festival will be the final act of a stunning jumps season. Timeform Radio are therefore equipping you with all the info you need to know ahead of the event courtesy of Paul Jacobs and Billy Nash

The Irish Grand National is the feature race at Fairyhouse on Easter monday and Stuart Jones takes you through the most interesting runners.........

Big fields are the order of the day at both Gowran and Navan this Sunday, but we're still hopeful of finding some winners with our three selections....

We've got three tips on a what looks a difficult card at Naas.......

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