Channor Group Novice Hurdle |
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| Grade 1, Punchestown 16:15 €125,000 guaranteed, 4yo, 2m7f180y, Class 1  |
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1 Dancing City 7/4F
2 High Class Hero 9/1
3 Better Days Ahead 9/2
7 ran NR: An Tobar Distances: ½l, 4¼l, 1¼l
Time: 6m 6.90s (slow by 32.80s)
A third Grade 1 success of the season for the progressive Dancing City as the seven-year-old battles to victory in the Channor Real Estate Group Novice Hurdle for the formidable @PTownend and @WillieMullinsNH partnership 🥇 pic.twitter.com/nJ9sQ9iI0q
— Punchestown (@punchestownrace) May 1, 2024
Dancing City, fresh off his Aintree triumph, continued his winning streak with a hard-fought victory in this Grade 1. The Willie Mullins-trained gelding, sent off as the 7/4 favorite, displayed immense determination under jockey Paul Townend.
Facing pressure from his stablemate High Class Hero, Dancing City dug deep in the closing stages, ultimately prevailing by half a length.
The Gordon Elliott-trained duo of Better Days Ahead and Stellar Story had to settle for third and fourth places, respectively. It was a thrilling battle down the stretch, showcasing the resilience and class of these talented jumpers.
Townend said: "Tough, probably even a little bit deceiving as he's danced every dance this year. I thought I'd got to the bottom of him at Aintree.
"I was fearful of the second, but no, he's a good horse. I planned on being closer but was happy with where I was, he quickened up nicely.
"The way he races is helpful for those staying horses."
Mullins added: “It just shows how tough he is that he’s been to every racing Festival, it takes a lot of doing. It all goes well for the future going over fences.
“He did quite well coming back from Aintree. We haven’t done that before – Cheltenham, Aintree, Punchestown. It looks achievable so we might do more of it in the future!
“He didn’t show how good he was until we went out in trip.
“High Class Hero ran very well and looked for a minute that he might upset Paul.”
Channor Group Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)
€125,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 2m7f180y, Class 1
7 ran
Going: Yielding, Good to Yielding in places
POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 Dancing City 7 11-10 W P Mullins Paul Townend 7/4F
2 ½ High Class Hero 7 11-10 W P Mullins Sean O'Keeffe 9/1
3 4¼ Better Days Ahead 6 11-10 Gordon Elliott Danny Gilligan 9/2
4 1¼ Stellar Story 7 11-10 Gordon Elliott Jack Kennedy 100/30
5 ½ Lecky Watson 6 11-10 W P Mullins Danny Mullins 5/1
6 18 Backmersackme 5 11-10 Emmet Mullins Donagh Meyler 16/1
7 3¾ Cuta Des As 7 11-3 W P Mullins Brian Hayes 50/1
NR An Tobar 7 11-10 Henry De Bromhead NON RUNNER
PAST RESULTS
Year Horse Age/Wt Owner Trainer Jockey SP
2023 Gaelic Warrior 5 11-10 Mrs S Ricci W P Mullins Paul Townend 4/5F
2022 The Nice Guy 7 11-10 Malcolm C Denmark W P Mullins Paul Townend 15/8F
2021 Galopin Des Champs 5 11-11 Mrs Audrey Turley W P Mullins Paul Townend 13/8F
2020 Abandoned - Covid-19
2019 Minella Indo 6-11-10 Barry Maloney H De Bromhead Rachael Blackmore 5/1
2018 Next Destination 6-11-10 Malcolm C Denmark Willie Mullins Paul Townend 5/4F
2017 Champagne Classic 6-11-10 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Bryan Cooper 14/1
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
