Herald Champion Novice Hurdle |
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| Grade 1, Punchestown 16:20 Race Value: €94,999 5yo plus 2m, Class1  |
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| Tuesday 28th April 2015 |
1 Douvan 1/6F
2 Sizing John 5/1
3 Blair Perrone 25/1
6 ran Distances: 7½l, 8l, 8l
TIME 4m 1.30s (slow by 15.30s)
Willie Mullins describes winning favourite Douvan as 'an incredible athlete' after a smooth success
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The five-year-old was a prohibitively priced 1-6 market leader following a scintillating victory in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham last month and Ruby Walsh had matters in hand from the outset.
Velocity Boy cut out the early running, tracked by Sizing John, with Douvan positioned in third.
The former began to feel the pinch from the home turn, leaving Sizing John to lead Douvan, but Walsh sat motionless aboard the Mullins runner before easing to the front approaching the final flight.
He was soon away and gone on the run-in and passed the post with plenty in hand.
Sizing John, runner-up behind Douvan at Gowran Park earlier in the season and third in the Supreme, was once again put in his place, but ran another fine race in second.
The Herald Champion Novice Hurdle
€94,999 added, 5yo plus, 2m, Class 1
6 ran
Going: Good to Yielding
| Pos | Dist | Horse SP | Jockey Weight | Trainer | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Douvan (FR) 1/6f | R Walsh 11-12 |
W P Mullins | 5 | |
| 2nd | 7½ | Sizing John 5/1 | J J Burke 11-12 |
H de Bromhead | 5 |
| 3rd | 8 | Blair Perrone (IRE) 25/1 | D F O'Regan 11-12 |
A J Martin | 6 |
| 4th | 8 | Cardinal Palace (IRE) 66/1 | D J Casey 11-12 |
J Nash | 5 |
| 5th | 16 | Velocity Boy (IRE) 33/1 | B M Cash 11-12 |
William P Murphy | 6 |
| PU | Rich Coast 20/1 | P Carberry 11-12 |
N Meade | 7 |
Past Results:
| Year | Horse/SP | Age/Wt Owner | Trainer | Jockey |
| 2014 | Faugheen 1/2F | |||
| 2013 | Jezki 2/1 | 5-11-12 J P McManus |
Jessica Harrington | Barry Geraghty |
| 2012 | Alderwood 5/2 | 8-11-12 J P McManus |
Tom Mullins | A P McCoy |
| 2011 | Shot From The Hip 11/2 | 7-11-12 J P McManus |
Edward O’Grady | A P McCoy |
| 2010 | Blackstair mountain 5/1 |
5-11-12 Susannah Ricci |
Willie Mullins | Paul Townend |
| 2009 | Hurricane Fly 4/6 Fav | 5-11-12 George Creight |
on/Rose Boyd Willie Mullins | Ruby Walsh |
| 2008 | Jered 7/4 Fav | 6-11-12 J P McManus |
Noel Meade | A P McCoy |
| 2007 | Clopf 7/4 Fav | 6-11-12 Bernard Heffernan |
Edward O’Grady | Barry Geraghty |
| 2006 | Iktitaf 8/1 | 5-11-11 Mrs Pat Sloan |
Noel Meade | Ruby Walsh |
| 2005 | Wild Passion 7/4 Fav | 5-11-11 Des Sharkey |
Noel Meade | Paul Carberry |
| 2004 | Brave Inca 2/1 Fav | 6-11-12 Novices Syndicate |
Colm Murphy | Barry Cash |
| 2003 | Back In Front 4/11 Fav | 6-11-12 Dermot Cox |
Edward O’Grady | Norman Williamson |
| 2002 | Scottish Memories 11/4 | 6-11-12 Mary Halligan |
Noel Meade | Paul Carberry |
| *2001 | Ned Kelly 4/5 Fav | 5-11-11 Sue Magnier |
Edward O’Grady | Norman Williamson |
| 2000 | Moscow Flyer 10/1 | 6-12-00 Brian Kearney | Jessica Harrington | Barry Geraghty |
| 1999 | Cardinal Hill 1/2 Fav | 5-11-13 J P McManus |
Noel Meade | Charlie Swan |
| 1998 | His Song 6/4 | 5-11-13 David Lloyd |
Mouse Morris | A P McCoy |
| 1997 | Midnight Legend 7/4 Fav | 6-12-00 Hilda Clarke |
David Nicholson GB | Richard Johnson |
| 1996 | Dance Beat 7/2 | 5-11-08 Mrs E Queally |
Jessica Harrington | John Shortt |
| 1995 | Hotel Minella 5/4 Fav | 8-12-00 John J Nallen |
Aidan O’Brien | Charlie Swan |
| 1994 | Klairon Davis 7/4 Fav | 5-11-13 Chris Jones |
Arthur Moore | Tom Horgan |
| 1993 | Bayrouge 7/2 | 5-11-08 Joe Crowley |
Anne-Marie O’Brien | Richard Dunwoody |
| 1992 | Fortune And Fame 11/4 Fav | 5-11-13 Michael Smurfit |
Dermot Weld | Brendan Sheridan |
| 1991 | Young Pokey 5/2 | 6-12-00 Maurice Oberstein |
Oliver Sherwood GB | Jamie Osborne |
| 1990 | Vestris Abu 5/2 | 4-10-05 Mrs C Shubotham |
Jim Bolger | Charlie Swan |
| 1989 | The Proclamation 9/2 | 6-10-13 J M Whaley |
Paddy Prendergast | Richard Dunwoody |
| 1988 | El-Sid Senor 9/4 Fav | 5-11-07 T Miley |
Francis Flood | Frank Berry |
| 1987 | High Plains 8/1 | 5-11-05 Raymond Mould |
David Nicholson GB | Richard Dunwoody |
| 1986 | Barney Burnett Evs Fav | 6-11-09 P Donovan |
Ruby Walsh | Brendan Sheridan |
| 1985 | Hungary Hur 5/1 | 6-11-06 Mrs A Fegan |
Paddy Mullins | Tony Mullins |
| 1984 | Gav’s Delight 2/5 Fav | 6-11-07 N McGrady |
Michael Cunningham | Ken Morgan |
| 1983 | Dawn Run 5/2 Fav | 5-11-07 Mrs Charmian Hill |
Paddy Mullins | Tony Mullins |
| 1982 | Bustineto 5/2 | 4-10-05 Timothy Kinsella |
Mick O’Toole | Niall Madden |
| 1981 | Tie Anchor 2/1 Fav | 4-10-09 Daniel Hale |
Paddy Prendergast | Tommy McGivern |
| 1980 | Deep Gale 7/1 | 7-11-08 J P McManus |
Edward O’Grady | Mr Frank Codd |
