Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle |
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| Grade 1, Punchestown 16:55 €100,000 added, 4yo, 3m, Class 1  |
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| Wednesday 26th April 2017 | |
1 Champagne Classic 14-1
2 Penhill 2-1f
3 Tin Soldier 8-1
8 ran Distances: 2¼l, ½l, 9½l
Time: 5m 58.00s (slow by 22.00s)
Champagne Classic wins - the worst horse Michael O'Leary owns...
Michael O’Leary described Champagne Classic as the worst horse he had in training when winning the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham last month but he will have to revise that assessment.
The six-year-old took the Grade 1 to increase trainer Gordon Elliott’s lead in the championship. “He’s not too bad a horse,” said Elliott.
“He stays well and jumps well and I think he enjoys this better ground – his best runs have come on it at Cheltenham and here. His future is definitely over fences.”
O’Leary added: “That’s not bad from the worst horse I have! I’m going to start insulting my horses more as it seems to stimulate them.”
Jockey Bryan Cooper added: “Champagne Classic did it well. To be fair, the better ground has definitely brought out the best in him.
“Gordon prepped him really well. He was a good winner at the Cheltenham Festival and has made the step up to Grade One company and done it well. He is fantastic horse and to have won a Grade One as well as a race at Cheltenham is great placing by Gordon.”
Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)
€100,000 added, 4yo plus, 3m, Class 1
8 ran
Going: Good to Yielding
| Pos | D | Horse SP | Jockey Weight | Trainer | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Champagne Classic (IRE) 14/1 | B J Cooper 11-10 |
G Elliott | 6 | |
| 2nd | 2¼ | Penhill 2/1f | R Walsh 11-10 |
W P Mullins | 6 |
| 3rd | ½ | Tin Soldier (FR) 8/1 | D E Mullins 11-10 |
W P Mullins | 6 |
| 4th | 9½ | Monalee (IRE) 4/1 | D J Mullins 11-10 |
H de Bromhead | 6 |
| 5th | 1 | Al Boum Photo (FR) 8/1 | P Townend 11-9 |
W P Mullins | 5 |
| 6th | ½ | Presenting Percy 5/2 | D N Russell 11-10 |
P G Kelly | 6 |
| 7th | 12 | Moulin A Vent 20/1 | S W Flanagan 11-9 |
N Meade | 5 |
| 8th | 54 | Bon Papa (FR) 25/1 | M P Walsh 11-10 |
W P Mullins | 6 |
PAST RESULTS
Year Horse Age/Wt Owner Trainer Jockey SP
2016 Bellshill 6-11-10 Andrea & Graham Wylie Willie Mullins Ruby Walsh 2/1 Fav
2015 Killultagh Vic 6-11-10 Mrs R Boyd, Mrs M J Willie Mullins Paul Townend 8/1
Armstrong, J B Anderson
2014 Beat That 6-11-10 Michael Buckley Nicky Henderson GB Barry Geraghty 11/8 Fav
2013 Morning Assembly 6-11-10 Clipper Logistics Ltd Pat Fahy Davy Condon 14/1
2012 Marasonnien 6-11-10 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins Paul Townend 12/1
2011 Askanna 6-11-01 John Asple Colin Bowe Mr Barry O’Neill 33/1
2010 Rigour Back Bob 5-11-07 Gaticoma Syndicate Edward O’Grady Barry Geraghty 6/1
2009 The Midnight Club 8-11-06 C C R Racing Syndicate Willie Mullins Emmet Mullins 7/4Fav
2008 Got Attitude 5-11-05 David Reid Scott Jessica Harrington Barry Geraghty 16/1
