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| Punchestown National Hunt Festival 2005 |
Superb Punchestown festival entries revealed
11/04/05
Entries for the nine of the ten Grade 1 races at Punchestown's Irish National Hunt Festival, running from April 26 to 29, are revealed today with many of those who starred at Cheltenham and Aintree looking to bid for further success at Ireland's flagship jumping event.
The 15 entries for the feature EUR225,000 PUNCHESTOWN GUINNESS GOLD CUP, run on Wednesday, April 27, include totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Kicking King and the Robert Alner-trained Kingscliff, who was vying for favouritism at Cheltenham before being withdrawn at the 11th hour. Other entries in the Grade 1 three mile one furlong event include Daily Telegraph Chase winner Thisthatandtother, Cheltenham Gold Cup faller Pizarro, Saturday's Grand National runner-up Royal Auclair and Irish Hennessy Gold Cup winner Rule Supreme, who unseated his rider at Aintree last week.
Moscow Flyer, arguably the greatest modern-day chaser, is one of eight
entered for the Grade 1 KERRYGOLD CHAMPION CHASE, run on Punchestown's
opening day, and he is likely to start a warm favourite to land the two-mile
contest for a second consecutive year. Rathgar Beau, the Sue Smith-trained
Mister McGoldrick and Ground Ball are among others entered.
Harchibald, Brave Inca, Accordion Etoile, Macs Joy, Intersky Falcon
and Al Eile, winner of Saturday's Grade 1 Scottish and Newcastle Aintree
Hurdle, respectively finished second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and
seventh in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham last month and all
are entered in the Grade 1 EMO OIL CHAMPION HURDLE, run on Friday, April
29.
J P McManus's mare Like-A-Butterfly, winner of last week's Grade 2 Mildmay
Novices' Chase at Aintree, is one of 24 entries for the Grade 1 SWORDLESTOWN
CUP NOVICE CHASE on Thursday, April 28, as is the same owner's Fota Island,
winner of handicap chases at Cheltenham and Aintree, while War Of Attrition,
Dempsey and Made In Japan - who finished second, third and fourth in
Saturday's Grade 1 Maghull Novices' Chase at Aintree - are others engaged.
The progressive Strike Back, trained by Jessica Harrington, is another
eye-catching entry.
The Tom Foley-trained Royal Paradise, who was sent off joint-favourite
for the Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham when finishing
seventh, could bid to make amends in the Grade 1 EVENING HERALD CHAMPION
NOVICE HURDLE over two miles on Tuesday, April 26. Pole Star and Reveillez
- who respectively finished fourth and sixth at Cheltenham for trainer
James Fanshawe - may reoppose while Briareus, an impressive winner of
his last two starts for trainer Andrew Balding, is another interesting
British-trained entry. Wild Passion, runner-up in the Letheby & Christopher
Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham, and the well-touted Publican,
who finished eighth in the same race, are others entered.
The great mare Solerina, who has not raced since February, could make
her eagerly-awaited reappearance in the Grade 1 BALLYMORE PROPERTIES
CHAMPION STAYERS' HURDLE over three miles on Thursday, April 28, with
Rule Supreme, who finished third in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham,
expected to run in this event. Friday's Grade 1 Sefton Novices' Hurdle
winner Asian Maze is also engaged as are the Edward O'Grady-trained Back
In Front, Rule Supreme, the French-trained Blue Canyon and Cheltenham
Festival winner Idole First.
JCB Triumph Hurdle third Akilak, one of several entries from trainer
Howard Johnson at this year's Punchestown Festival, is among 21 engaged
in the Grade 1 COLM MCEVOY AUCTIONEERS CHAMPION 4YO HURDLE on Thursday,
April 28. Cheltenham sixth Strangely Brown, the Richard Guest-trained
Admiral, an easy winner at Market Rasen last week, Levitator, a convincing
winner of his only hurdling start for Michael O'Brien at Fairyhouse two
weeks ago, United, unbeaten in two runs for Lucy Wadham, and Helensburgh,
who has not run since easily winning at Punchestown in November, add
further interest.
The betfair.com NOVICE HANDICAP CHASE on Friday, April 29, promises
to be an ultra-competitive affair with 50 entries. These include Powers
Gold Label Irish Grand National hero Numbersixvalverde, Like-A-Butterfly,
War Of Attrition, the Ferdy Murphy-trained Joes Edge, an intended runner
following his success at Aintree on Saturday, Powers Gold Cup second
Forget The Past, Red Devil Robert, winner of his last three runs for
trainer Paul Nicholls, his stablemates Inca Trail and Whitford Don and
the Tom George-trained Lord Of Illusion, the winner of his last three
starts who was a last-minute absentee from the Cheltenham Festival.
The Grade 1 MENOLLY HOMES CHAMPION NOVICE HURDLE, also on the Friday
of Punchestown, promises to be another unmissable event with 45 entered
including Grade 1 Sefton Novices' Hurdle first and second Asian Maze
and Brewster, Back Nine, winner of both his starts for Robert Alner,
Briareus, Philip Hobbs' pair Gold Medallist and Chilling Place, Pole
Star, Prins Willem and Reveillez, Royal Paradise, Strangely Brown, Wild
Passion, and Pharviva, who has not run since the Galway Festival in July
but has won his last four outings over hurdles.
There are also supplementary entry stages, at a cost of 10 per cent
of the total prize fund, for the Grade 1 events in the seven days before
the races.
There is record prize money of EUR 2.127 million at this year's Irish
National Hunt Festival and the remaining 23 races - including the EUR100,000
Grade 1 PADDY POWER CHAMPION BUMPER - close at the usual five or six-day
stage.
Dick O'Sullivan, General Manager at Punchestown Racecourse, said today: "The Irish National Hunt Festival has gone from strength to strength in recent years and we are delighted that locally-based heroes such as Moscow Flyer, Kicking King and Harchibald are set to be joined at this year's Festival by a very strong overseas entry for the early-closing races from no less than 18 different trainers based in Britain and France. Added to the current unprecedented strength in depth of Irish-trained talent, this promises to make the 2005 Festival an unmissable event."
2005 IRISH NATIONAL HUNT FESTIVAL ENTRIES
KERRYGOLD CHAMPION CHASE (GRADE 1) EUR180,000 (2M - 5YO+ ), TUESDAY,
APRIL 26
1 Central House (GB) (D T Hughes)
2 Colca Canyon (Mrs J Harrington)
3 Ground Ball (C F Swan)
4 Mister McGoldrick (GB) (Mrs S J Smith (in GB))
5 Moscow Flyer (Mrs J Harrington)
6 Mossy Green (W P Mullins)
7 Native Upmanship (A L T Moore)
8 Rathgar Beau (E Sheehy)
EVENING HERALD CHAMPION NOVICE HURDLE (GRADE 1) EUR100,000 ( 2M - 5YO+),
TUESDAY, APRIL 26
1 Akshar (D K Weld)
2 Arteea (M Hourigan)
3 Astronomic (GB) (J H Johnson (in GB))
4 Augherskea (N Meade)
5 Briareus (GB) (A M Balding (in GB))
6 Coat Of Honour (USA) (J H Johnson (in GB))
7 Daly Said It (A J Martin)
8 High Priestess (M J P O'Brien)
9 In Compliance (M J P O'Brien)
10 Kill Devil Hill (P Nolan)
11 Leonardo De Vinci (E J O'Grady)
12 Maille Blu (FR) (T M Walsh)
13 Major Vernon (W P Mullins)
14 Man About Town (T J Taaffe)
15 Manorson (O Sherwood (in GB))
16 Mr Mcauley (M Halford)
17 New Field (T Mullins)
18 Pole Star (GB) (J R Fanshawe (in GB))
19 Publican (P A Fahy)
20 Ray Boy (P C O'Connor)
21 Reveillez (GB) (J R Fanshawe (in GB))
22 Royal Paradise (FR) (T Foley)
23 Sea Captain (GB) (N J Henderson (in GB))
24 The Railway Man (A L T Moore)
25 Wild Passion (GER) (N Meade)
PUNCHESTOWN GUINNESS GOLD CUP (GRADE 1) EUR225,000 (3M 1F - 5YO+), WEDNESDAY,
APRIL 27
1 Arctic Copper (N Meade)
2 First Gold (FR) (F Doumen (in FR))
3 Jack High (T M Walsh)
4 Jim (FR) (J T R Dreaper)
5 John James (J H Scott)
6 Kicking King (T J Taaffe)
7 Kingscliff (R H Alner (in GB))
8 Le Coudray (FR) (C Roche)
9 Le Roi Miguel (FR) (P F Nicholls (in GB))
10 Native Upmanship (A L T Moore)
11 Nil Desperandum (Ms. F M Crowley)
12 Pizarro (E J O'Grady)
13 Royal Auclair (FR) (P F Nicholls (in GB))
14 Rule Supreme (W P Mullins)
15 Thisthatandtother (P F Nicholls (in GB)) - .
COLM MCEVOY AUCTIONEERS CHAMPION 4YO HURDLE (GRADE 1) EUR110,000 (2M
- 4YO ), THURSDAY, APRIL 28
1 Admiral (R C Guest (in GB))
2 Akilak (J H Johnson (in GB))
3 Asian Alliance (W P Mullins)
4 Dabiroun (P Nolan)
5 Don't Be Bitin (E Griffin)
6 Eye Candy (Mrs S McCarthy)
7 Helensburgh (P Hughes)
8 Iktitaf (N Meade)
9 Iron Man (FR) (J H Johnson (in GB))
10 Kentucky Charm (FR) (E J O'Grady)
11 L'Oudon (FR) (P F Nicholls (in GB))
12 Levitator (GB) (M J P O'Brien)
13 Loyal Focus (D K Weld)
14 Majlis (JPN) (M J P O'Brien)
15 Maxxium (M Halford)
16 Noble Request (FR) (P J Hobbs (in GB))
17 Openide (GB) (B W Duke (in GB))
18 Strangely Brown (E McNamara)
19 Tous Les Tables (N Meade)
20 United (GER) (Mrs L Wadham (in GB))
21 Vintage Gold (USA) (C O'Brien)
SWORDLESTOWN CUP NOVICE S'CHASE (GRADE 1) EUR100,000 (2M - 5YO+ ), THURSDAY,
APRIL 28
1 Always (GB) (N Meade)
2 Beechcourt (GB) (M J P O'Brien)
3 Davenport Milenium (W P Mullins)
4 Dempsey (M Pitman (in GB))
5 Euro Leader (W P Mullins)
6 Fota Island (M F Morris)
7 Kadount (FR) (A King (in GB))
8 Laoch Dubh (H de Bromhead)
9 Like-A-Butterfly (C Roche)
10 Livingstonebramble (W P Mullins)
11 Made In Japan (JPN) (P J Hobbs (in GB))
12 Mariah Rollins (P A Fahy)
13 Ned Kelly (E J O'Grady)
14 Newmill (J J Murphy)
15 Old Flame (C F Swan)
16 Saintsaire (FR) (N J Henderson (in GB))
17 Scarthy Lad (T O'Leary)
18 Sir Oj (N Meade)
19 Strike Back (Mrs J Harrington)
20 Swordplay (GB) (M J P O'Brien)
21 Top Strategy (T M Walsh)
22 Ulaan Baatar (Mrs J Harrington)
23 War Of Attrition (M F Morris)
24 Watson Lake (N Meade)
BALLYMORE PROPERTIES CHAMPION STAYERS' HURDLE (GRADE 1) EUR170,000 (
3M - 4YO+ ), THURSDAY, APRIL 28
1 Asian Maze (T Mullins)
2 Back In Front (E J O'Grady)
3 Basilea Star (F Murphy (in GB))
4 Blue Canyon (FR) (F Doumen (in FR))
5 Brave Inca (C A Murphy)
6 Carlys Quest (GB) (F Murphy (in GB))
7 Dancing Bay (GB) (N J Henderson (in GB))
8 Davenport Milenium (W P Mullins)
9 Emotional Moment (T J Taaffe)
10 Holy Orders (W P Mullins)
11 Homer Wells (W P Mullins)
12 Idole First (Miss V Williams (in GB))
13 Kadoun (M J P O'Brien)
14 Our Ben (GB) (W P Mullins)
15 Rosaker (USA) (N Meade)
16 Rule Supreme (W P Mullins)
17 Solerina (J Bowe)
18 Yogi (T Foley)
EMO OIL CHAMPION HURDLE (GRADE 1) EUR160,000 (2M - 5YO+ ), FRIDAY, APRIL
29
1 Accordion Etoile (P Nolan)
2 Al Eile (J Queally)
3 Back In Front (E J O'Grady)
4 Bob What (T Mullins)
5 Brave Inca (C A Murphy)
6 Harchibald (FR) (N Meade)
7 Intersky Falcon (GB) (J O'Neill (in GB))
8 Kald River (FR) (T J Taaffe)
9 Macs Joy (Mrs J Harrington)
10 Publican (P A Fahy)
11 Royal Shakespeare (FR) (S Gollings (in GB))
BETFAIR.COM NOVICE H'CAP S'CHASE (GRADE A) EUR100,000 (3M 1F - 5YO+),
FRIDAY, APRIL 29
1 Adarma (C Roche)
2 Aimees Mark (F Flood)
3 Another Rum (I A Duncan)
4 Ballynattin Buck (A L T Moore)
5 Beau Colina (A J Martin)
6 Bizet (F Flood)
7 Bob What (T Mullins)
8 Chauvinist (N J Henderson (in GB))
9 Colonel Monroe (E J O'Grady)
10 Davenport Milenium (W P Mullins)
11 Doodle Addle (J T R Dreaper)
12 Duncliffe (GB) (R H Alner (in GB))
13 Dungarvans Choice (N J Henderson (in GB))
14 Endless Magic (E J O'Grady)
15 Eric's Charm (FR) (O Sherwood (in GB))
16 Euro Leader (W P Mullins)
17 Forget The Past (GB) (M J P O'Brien)
18 G V A Ireland (F Flood)
19 Hard Winter (D T Hughes)
20 Hurry Bob (T Mullins)
21 Inca Trail (P F Nicholls (in GB))
22 Joes Edge (F Murphy (in GB))
23 Like A Bee (C Roche)
24 Like-A-Butterfly (C Roche)
25 Lincam (C F Swan)
26 Livingstonebramble (W P Mullins)
27 Lord Alphieross (W J Burke)
28 Lord Of Illusion (T R George (in GB))
29 Mirpour (E Griffin)
30 Mullacash (N Meade)
31 Mutineer (D T Hughes)
32 Nas Na Riogh (N J Henderson (in GB))
33 Night Busker (D T Hughes)
34 No Half Session (N Meade)
35 Nolans Pride (W J Burke)
36 Numbersixvalverde (M Brassil)
37 Parsons Legacy (P J Hobbs (in GB))
38 Pay It Forward (GB) (Mrs J Harrington)
39 Pearly Jack (GB) (D E Fitzgerald)
40 Ransboro (C F Swan)
41 Red Devil Robert (P F Nicholls (in GB))
42 Sandy Owen (P A Fahy)
43 Scarthy Lad (T O'Leary)
44 Schuh Shine (Miss V Williams (in GB))
45 Sir Oj (N Meade)
46 Sleep Bal (FR) (N J Henderson (in GB))
47 Sraid Na Cathrach (C Byrnes)
48 War Of Attrition (M F Morris)
49 Well Presented (Mrs J Harrington)
50 Whitford Don (P F Nicholls (in GB))
MENOLLY HOMES CHAMPION NOVICE HURDLE (GRADE 1) EUR100,000 (2M 4F - 4YO+),
FRIDAY, APRIL 29
1 Akhtari (D T Hughes)
2 Asian Maze (T Mullins)
3 Augherskea (N Meade)
4 Back Nine (R H Alner (in GB))
5 Bagan (FR) (C J Mann (in GB))
6 Blazing Liss (J E Kiely)
7 Brewster (I Williams (in GB))
8 Briareus (GB) (A M Balding (in GB))
9 Chilling Place (P J Hobbs (in GB))
10 Church Island (M Hourigan)
11 Daly Said It (A J Martin)
12 Django (Mrs J Harrington)
13 Doctor Linton (M J P O'Brien)
14 Forager (GB) (M J Ryan (in GB))
15 Gold Medallist (GB) (P J Hobbs (in GB))
16 Homer Wells (W P Mullins)
17 In Compliance (M J P O'Brien)
18 Incidential (Mrs J Harrington)
19 Keepthedreamalive (GB) (R H Buckler (in GB))
20 Kerryhead Windfarm (M Hourigan)
21 Kill Devil Hill (P Nolan)
22 Leonardo De Vinci (E J O'Grady)
23 Letterman (E J O'Grady)
24 Macs Flamingo (P A Fahy)
25 Major Vernon (W P Mullins)
26 Manorson (O Sherwood (in GB))
27 Mr Babbage (W P Mullins)
28 Our Ben (GB) (W P Mullins)
29 Petertheknot (P Sinnott)
30 Pharviva (M Halford)
31 Pole Star (GB) (J R Fanshawe (in GB))
32 Prins Willem (J R Fanshawe (in GB))
33 Ray Boy (P C O'Connor)
34 Reveillez (GB) (J R Fanshawe (in GB))
35 Romany Prince (GB) (S Gollings (in GB))
36 Royal Paradise (FR) (T Foley)
37 Sher Beau (P Fenton)
38 Shuhood (USA) (P R Webber (in GB)
39 Strangely Brown (E McNamara
40 Sunami Storm (W P Mullins)
41 Teeming Rain (C F Swan)
42 The Railway Man (A L T Moore)
43 Victom's Chance (N T Chance (in GB))
44 Washington Lad (P A Fahy)
45 Wild Passion (GER) (N Meade)
