Wednesday 17th March

Amateur Riders National Hunt Chase

The first race of day two went to a Walsh but surprisingly it wasn’t Ruby, it was Katie. Ruby’s younger sister gave Poker De Sivola one of the rides of the week to get up and touch off Irish challenger Becauseicouldntsee, who was ridden by her friend, Nina Carberry. There were tears of joy in the winners enclosure and Ted Walsh was even seen riding a finish in the commentary box. It was a great day for Katie and she advertised herself as one of the top amateurs in Ireland. She gave the horse a great ride, holding him up well of f the pace before playing her cards late. In the end she won quite snug, beating Noel Glynn’s horse by two and a quarter lengths. Third was Tom Coppers Prudent Honour who made little of his 40-1 odds to be placed. The Derek O’Conner ridden Any Currency was fourth and would have finished closer but for a bad mistake two out. A horse to note for the future is the Howard Johnson trained Presenting Forever. He finished a well beaten eight in the end but he went off at a furious gallop and put in one the best jumping performances of the festival. He faded as he hit the hill, but this six year old could be a future national horse in my opinion.

Neptune Novice Hurdle

A racing superstar was unleashed as Peddlers Cross put his rivals to the sword in the Neptune Hurdle. It was only his fourth race ever on the track and he looks to have a huge future. Formerly trained by Thomond O’Mara in Ireland, he was sold after winning a point to point in nice fashion. He could prove to be the buy of a lifetime. He romped away to a length and a half victory after travelling sweetly throughout the race. Jason McGuire sent him on after the last hurdle and he battled all the way to the line. Nick Williams’ Reve De Sivola was second as he pulled three and three quarter lengths clear of the third. If he brushed up his jumping he may have won as he made some shocking mistakes during the race. Chasing may be his game though. Third was the favourite, Rite Of Passage. Dermot Weld’s charge had every chance but was simply out classed by the first two home. It looks likely he may revert to the flat now. Followers of Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh knew their fate early as Quel Esprit took a heavy fall at the second flight. He nearly brought down Manyriverstocross and God only knows how he stayed on his feet to finish seventh. Alan King’s horse could be one to follow if turned out again.

RSA Chase

The party hosted by Punchestowns and Long Run was gate crashed by Weapons Amnesty and Davy Russell. Nicky Henderson’s stable stars simply couldn’t live with the Charles Byrnes trained victor, and it was Henderson’s ‘third string’ who gave the winner most to think about. Burton Port ran on nicely to be second but he simply couldn’t live with Weapons Amnesty, as he went down by seven lengths. Russell rode his usual cool race as he switched off the winner out the back. He wasn’t fluent at the ninth but his jumping was quality throughout. He clearly loves good ground and is a real spring horse. Long Run lost second on the line and his jumping again didn’t stand up to the pace of championship racing. On a more positive note he settled better and in my opinion needs to strengthen up, both physically and mentally. He will be a force in years to come though. Punchestowns looked a shadow of his former self and his training set back obviously took its toll.

Queen Mother Champion Chase

The second major shock of the festival occurred in Tuesday’s premier race. Many felt that Master Minded would steam roll this field but that wasn’t the case. He never really travelled for Ruby and the writing was on the wall from quite a way out. The race was a superb result for the Irish as Big Zeb lead a one two for the emerald isle. Forpaddytheplasterer was second but he couldn’t live with Barry Geraghtys mount as he trailed in six lengths behind the new champ. It was a nice display by Big Zeb but I have reservations over the race. They went nowhere near as quick as they usually do in this race and that allowed the winner to jump well. I’m probably being a little harsh on the winner but I’m only speaking my mind. Last years Arkle second, Kalahari King, was again placed in a festival championship race as he ran on to finish third. Other leading contender, Twist Magic, made a shuddering mistake down the back and that really ended his chance. He was eventually pulled up by Choc Thornton.

Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle

The Coral Cup was the personal highlight of my week as my nap won and won well. I had a bit of luck as Wishful Thinking came down at the second last but I’m going to stick my neck on the online and say “he would have won anyway”. The winner travelled and jumped beautifully throughout the race as the sat close to the pace. He picked it up, turning for home and when Barry Geraghty said go and quickened again to win by four and a half lengths. This is one horse to keep on your side next year. SPIRIT RIVER, I LOVE YOU. Second was Nick Gifford’s Tullamore Dew, who returned to form to shatter his odds of 80-1 but he simply couldn’t live with the winner. Third was James De Vassy for Nick Williams and Daryl Jacob who was beaten seven and a half lengths altogether. One of last years Supreme Novice hopefuls, Michael Flips, ran a nice race to finish fourth especially considering he had quite a bit of weight to carry. The horse to take from the race is certainly Wishful Thinking, I hope his connections have their big day out and I’m sure they will.

Fred Winter Novice Handicap Hurdle

The Fred Winter was turned into a precession by Paul Nicholls, Ruby Walsh and Sanctuaire. The French import made a mockery of his handicap rating and put himself in next year’s Champion Hurdle picture. Given a patient ride by Walsh, he made smooth headway three out before latching on to the leading group. By two out, Ruby was swinging and it was only a mater of how far he’d win by. He quickened away after the last flight for an effortless nine length victory. Second was David Pipe’s Notus De La Tour, who travelled well throughout but was never ever going to beat the winner. Orsippus was third and Son Amix was fourth for Tom Copper. The horse to take from the race is Howard Johnson’s Stormy Weather. He was near last for the majority of the race and had no luck in running. He did very well to finish fourth, keep an eye on him.

Champion Bumper

The Champion Bumper turned out to be a woeful race for the Irish. They governed the first four in the market but couldn’t live with Que Card. Visually, he was just as impressive as Dunguib. We’ll have to wait to see if the form amounts to anything, but I strongly feel it will. Joe Tizzard’s mount went on to win by eight lengths, after he quickened away with two furlongs to run. He travelled beautifully through the race and seemed to love the quick conditions. An English one-two was secured when Al Ferof ran very well to be second. He was always in the front fan and set a decent gallop after being a bit free. He put a further eight lengths back to the third place, where Frawley rewarded good each-way support throughout the week.