 |
|
|
|
| Punchestown National Hunt Festival 2006 |
Asian Maze out of this World
27/04/06
ASIAN MAZE ran her rivals ragged to land a convincing win in the Whitewater Champion Stayers' Hurdle.
 |
Ruby Walsh set a sensible pace on the Thomas Mullins-trained mare and
the 8-13 shot was not hard pressed to follow up her success in the Aintree
Hurdle earlier this month.
Fire Dragon, trained by Jonjo O'Neill, was the only one to put up any
kind of challenge but he was well held at the last and was pipped for
second spot close home by 100-1 chance Kerryhead Windfarm.
Asian Maze dictated affairs from the start although Walsh never allowed
her to go more than three lengths ahead of her rivals headed by Fire
Dragon and Sky's The Limit.
When Walsh upped the tempo four out, the pressure soon began to tell
on the rest of the field except for Fire Dragon who did his best to keep
within striking distance.
However, he was a spent force at the final flight as Asian Maze went
on to win by four and a half lengths from Kerryhead Windfarm.
Mullins said: "She always sticks to her task. It's grand that we
have at least six to eight months to think about where we want to go
with her, but Ruby thinks she is not astaying mare but a Champion Hurdle
mare."
Michael Hourigan was thrilled with Kerryhead Windfarm's return to form
but also frustrated the horse has not shown his best over fences this
season.
"I'm very pleased and I may train him for the World Hurdle next
season as he stays and likes fast ground," said Hourigan.
"Going back over fences would be an option but he seems to jump
better over the smaller obstacles and we know he's a good horse."
Asian Maze was cut from 8-1 to 6-1 for the next year's World Hurdle and
10-1 into 8-1 for the 2007 Champion Hurdle with VC Bet.
Ladbrokes left the mare unchanged at 10-1 for the World Hurdle and 12-1
for the Champion Hurdle respectively.
ACCORDION ON SONG
Accordion Etoile earned a 16/1 quote from Cashmans for next year's Queen Mother Champion Chase after landing the Swordlestown Cup Novice Chase by two and a half lengths from Justified, whose chance was not helped a last fence blunder.
"The wheels are back on the bike and he's got a Grade 1 under his belt now," said trainer Paul Nolan. "The Champion Chase would be the plan next year and hopefully he'll get his good ground there. He jumped correctly and travelled super and it all came down to who got over the last fence best."
The success came in an emotional week for the Co Wexford handler, to whose stable point-to-point rider Dary Cullen, who was killed after a fall on Sunday, worked.
The injured David Casey, for whom Mick Fitzgerald earlier substituted
on Quatre Heures, missed another winner when One Four Shannon took the
Tattersalls (Ireland) Ltd Pat Taaffe Handicap Chase under replacement
rider Philip Carberry.
AMAZING NINE FOR BOLGER
Trainer Enda Bolger enhanced his amazing record in the Blue Square Chase for the La Touche Cup when Good Step, ridden by Nina Carberry, provided the trainer with a ninth successive victory in the famous race.
The winner's stablemate, favourite Spot Thedifference, lost his chance after an incident at the Bullfinch, the race's sixth last obstacle, but Bolger proved to have an able deputy.
"It's unfortunate what happened to Spot, but that's just the way it goes," said Bolger. "I was relieved because when I saw what happened to Spot I thought that was our chance gone. We'll have to wait until Cheltenham in November with Spot and I think he'll go on for another season.
"But Nina's some bird - she's just different class and nicked that one. Her ride was something else because going to the double bank last time he was the horse going least best. We'll have to throw the kitchen sink at the race next year."
Owner J P McManus added: "He outstayed them in the end. I thought he might get done even after the last but he responded to Nina's urging and I don't think I need to add anything about her - the ride spoke for itself. Enda is just the master in this race and I think he fancied Spot more but luckily had a very good sub."
Carberry continued: "He jumps magnificently and I think that's how he got named. I knew I had a good bit left going over the last, he finished very well and galloped to the line but it's tough going at the end of four miles and two furlongs."
QUATRE MAKES IT SIX FOR MULLINS
A vintage week for Willie Mullins continued when Quatre Heures, on whom Mick Fitzgerald deputised for the injured David Casey, provided a sixth success at the 2006 Punchestown Festival for the Co Carlow handler.
"We have to thank David Casey, who rang Mick Fitzgerald and gave him instructions before the race," said Mullins. "Hopefully David will be back in time for the Prix Alain du Breil, which he is likely to go for at Auteuil (on June 17). Mister Hight , who seems fine after his (last fence) fall, could also go there."
Fiztgerald added: "I feel very sad for David, who I rang earlier about the ride and he really fancied the horse. He jumps likes a gazelle, travelled very well and has a real engine."
Amateur Jamie Codd kicked off the day on a winning note when landing the KFM Hunters Chase for the Bishopscourt Cup on Extended Favour.
