PUNCHESTOWN
FESTIVAL 2013
RACENEWS
RACECOURSE SERVICE
TUESDAY,
APRIL 23
JEZKI
TAKES CHAMPAGNE
The Jessica Harrington-trained Jezki (2/1), who
finished third to Champagne Fever in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at
Cheltenham, reversed form with that rival to land the Grade 1 HERALD
CHAMPION NOVICE HURDLE by 16 lengths under Barry Geraghty.
"He was unbelievable. Everything went right for him today,"
said Harrington.
"He settled well,
then took a chance at the second but after that he was always travelling. They
went a good clip, which helped, and then when Barry asked him to go he really
accelerated.
"I was a bit
disappointed at Cheltenham and thought it was a very good race but I don't know
why things were different today. Maybe it was the travelling or the hill at
Cheltenham or perhaps the sun shining today has helped.
"He has only done one
piece of work since Cheltenham and the only time we have jumped him at home
since then was yesterday."
Jezki is just 6/1 with
Paddy Power and 10/1 with Boylesports for next year's Champion Hurdle and
Harrington added: "I've not spoken to Mr McManus and his team but I'd
imagine he'll stay over two miles over hurdles next season as he is still only
five."
Today's third Champagne
Fever's trainer Willie Mullins commented: "He didn't seem to jump with
the same fluency today. He missed three or four down the back and was
disappointing. I've no real excuses, he was in good form coming here."
Meade
delighted with Il Fenomeno
Trainer Noel Meade was
delighted to see Il Fenomeno win the bragbet.com HANDICAP HURDLE
under Paul Carberry.
"I was due a change
of luck, things haven't been going my way of late," said Meade. "To
be honest I thought he'd win the County Hurdle at Cheltenham and I couldn't
believe he stopped when he did that day.
"He has a lot of
ability, he's a Group 3 winner on the Flat, but he keeps a lot to himself. He
stopped again when he hit the front today. He'll probably jump a fence over the
summer."
First
winner for Donworth
The opening KILDARE
HUNT CLUB FR SEAN BREEN MEMORIAL CHASE FOR THE LADIES CUP was won by the
Enda Bolger-trained Zest For Life (4/1), who provided a first
Punchestown victory for 18-year-old amateur Tim Donworth on his first ride at
the track
"Tim has been riding
in point-to-points and has done that well," said Bolger. "The
horse could come back here on Saturday and we could take him to Le Lion
D'Angers in France again, where he ran in May last year."
Donworth, whose parents
Bobby and Honora own Roundhill Stud in County Limerick, is studying equine
business in Maynooth.
SPRINTER
SUPREME
Sprinter Sacre was applauded into a
packed parade ring prior to the Grade 1 BOYLESPORTS.COM CHAMPION CHASE on
the Punchestown Festival's opening day and the 1/9 favourite returned to an
even heartier reception after fighting off Sizing Europe to win the two-mile
contest by five and a half lengths.
Nicky Henderson's charge,
regarded as one of the greatest modern-day chasers, became the first horse
since Istabraq in 1999 to claim major honours at Cheltenham, Aintree and
Punchestown in the same season.
"Job done," said Henderson. "It
was tougher today. Barry (Geraghty) said the horse was at his best at
Cheltenham, not as sharp at Aintree and not as sharp again today. He was 101
per cent at Cheltenham and then to come back and to come back again takes a
very good horse.
"These are Grade 1s,
they are not easy races, and to come into these theatres has to take a lot out
of these horses. To do the three is very, very hard.
"The ground was
tougher for him today, he can't quite jump out of this as easily as if it's
good. He was clinical, clean and did nothing wrong. Fair play to Sizing Europe,
who has set a real gallop.
"I hope everyone has
enjoyed seeing him, that's why we are here. It's very special because we have
loved coming to Punchestown for years. We've always adored the place. Ireland
is a nation of horse lovers and you feel you owe it to everybody to bring him
here. There's no point staying at home. The reception and appreciation he got
was very, very special.
"I'm pleased that
Corky (Browne) my head lad, who has been with us since the beginning in 1978,
has come over. As his name suggests he's from Cork and so it's nice for him
that Sprinter is winning in his home country."
Barry Geraghty added: "Sizing
Europe put it to us today and I had to work. That heavy ground didn't suit my
lad as well as good and from four out it was not as easy for him as it had been
elsewhere. But we still put it to bed. That wasn't a 10 out of 10 - it was a 12
out of 10!
"Sprinter Sacre's
class got him through today. We went a good gallop and it was nice ground until
the fourth last but, because we had gone quick early, it was a real test of
stamina and he certainly doesn't lack in that department.
"He popped the third
last and I felt him take a blow so I had to fill him up and wait for him to
come back on the bridle which he did. He didn't land running at the back of the
third or second last but it's hard work out there and he answered every call.
"It's the best reception
I've had. I haven't seen anything like it since Desert Orchid won the Irish
Grand National when I was nine or 10. It was crazy in the winner's enclosure.
"You could go up in
trip if you want and that is another day's work, but he is the dog's at two
miles."
Sizing Europe's trainer Henry de
Bromhead added: "We decided we'd throw the kitchen sink at your man
(Sprinter Sacre) today and Andrew (Lynch) gave him a super ride.
"At least we got
Sprinter off the bridle, it was nice to see Barry pushing, but the winner is an
unbelievable horse."
RECORD
FIRST DAY CROWD
Today's crowd was a record
18,607, compared to 14,345 on the same day last year.
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