KPMG Champion Novice Hurdle |
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| Grade 1, Punchestown 16:15 €125,000 guaranteed 5yo plus 2m 100y, Class 1  |
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1 Mystical Power 2/1F
2 Firefox 9/2
3 Slade Steel 5/2
9 ran Distances: 1¾l, 4¼l, 5½l
Time: 4m 7.20s (slow by 14.20s)
The first Grade One of the Festival goes to Mystical Power, who confirms form with Firefox in a cracking finish to the @KPMG Champion Novice Hurdle - congratulations to JP McManus, Mark Walsh, and of course winning trainer Willie Mullins! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/MPDbwIsaQO
— Punchestown (@punchestownrace) April 30, 2024
In a rematch against Slade Steel, who had previously beaten Mystical Power at the Cheltenham Festival, the latter exacted revenge in this Grade One race.
Slade Steel had previously outperformed Mystical Power in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham. However, since then, Mystical Power had secured a Grade One victory at Aintree.
The betting odds were tight for the rematch on home soil, with Mystical Power being the narrow favorite at 2-1.
The extended two-mile contest was run at a strong gallop from the start, thanks to the Danny Mullins-ridden Ile Atlantique. As the race progressed down the back straight, both Ile Atlantique and nearest pursuer Tullyhill faded rapidly.
Slade Steel appeared to be traveling well as they rounded the final bend. However, under pressure, he disappointingly lacked the necessary response from jockey Rachael Blackmore.
Mystical Power, a son of Galileo and the great racemare Annie Power, surged from further back in the hands of jockey Mark Walsh. He powered home to win by a length and three-quarters.
Firefox, who had finished third in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and was the runner-up to Mystical Power at Aintree, ran another fine race but had to settle for second place behind the victorious Mystical Power
“He showed resilience and toughness today, he’s been improving all season,” Mullins said of the winner.
“I didn’t think we had much chance at the second-last and Mark said he was going as fast as he could coming around the last bend.
“The race turned into a staying race, with the other two protagonists playing their cards going to the last, they were flat out and he just outstayed them with a good jump at the last.
“It’s fantastic that he’s progressed as the season has gone on and I think Annie Power is coming out in him.”
When asked if Mystical Power would have a Champion Hurdle campaign next season, he added: “There is a lot of thinking to do between now and then but you’d certainly have to look at that. I don’t think he’ll go novice chasing, as he looks more of a hurdler than a chaser.
“He could easily step up in trip watching that performance today. Mark said he found it tough with the amount of speed that was in the early part of the race.
“It looked a real staying race there today, which would mean that he’s a two-and-a-half-mile hurdler and they are the sort of horses you probably need to win a Champion Hurdle, so maybe it’s all pointing in that direction.”
Champion Novice Hurdle
€125,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus, 2m 100y, Class 1
9 ran
Going: Yielding, Good to Yielding in places
POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 Mystical Power 5 11-12 W P Mullins Mark Walsh 2/1F
2 1¾ Firefox 6 11-12 Gordon Elliott Jack Kennedy 9/2
3 4¼ Slade Steel 6 11-12 Henry De Bromhead Rachael Blackmore 5/2
4 5½ King Of Kingsfield 6 11-12 Gordon Elliott Jordan Gainford 28/1
5 5 Asian Master 7 11-12 W P Mullins Mr T Costello 12/1
6 1¾ Fascile Mode 6 11-12 Thomas Mullins Sean Flanagan 200/1
7 37 Ile Atlantique 6 11-12 W P Mullins Danny Mullins 10/1
PU
Tullyhill 6 11-12 W P Mullins Paul Townend 7/1
PU
Fun Fun Fun 6 11-5 W P Mullins Brian Hayes 33/1
Past Results:
| Year | Horse/SP | Age/Wt Owner | Trainer | Jockey |
| 2023 | Facile Vega 4/6F | 6-11-12 Hammer & Trowel Syndicate |
Willie Mullins | Paul Townend |
| 2022 | Mighty Potter 20/1 | 5-11-12 Caldwell Construction Ltd |
Gordon Elliott | Jack Kennedy |
| 2021 | Echoes In The Rain 8/13F | 5-11-07 Barnane Stud |
Willie Mullins | Mr P W Mullins |
| 2020 | Abandoned (Covid-19) |
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| 2019 | Klassical Dream 8/13F | 5-11-12 Mrs Joanne Coleman |
Willie Mullins | R Walsh |
| 2018 | Draconien 25/1 | 5-11-12 Clipper Logistics Group Ltd |
Willie Mullins | N D Fehily |
| 2017 | Cilaos Emery 8/1 | 5-11-12 Luke McMahon |
Willie Mullins | David Mullins |
| 2016 | Don't Touch It 16/1 | 6-11-12 J P McManus |
Mrs J Harrington | B J Geraghty |
| 2015 | Douvan 1/6F | 5-11-12 Susannah Ricci |
Willie Mullins | Ruby Walsh |
| 2014 | Faugheen 1/2F | 6-11-12 Susannah Ricci |
Willie Mullins | Ruby Walsh |
| 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 |
