Latest news with #ChannorRealEstateGroupNoviceHurdle
Daily Mirror
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Paul Townend produces 'feat of horsemanship' to win Grade 1 for Willie Mullins with no irons
Paul Townend produced a remarkable 'feat of horsemanship' to win a Grade 1 for boss Willie Mullins without his irons. Ireland's champion jump jockey was reunited with Jasmin De Vaux in Channor Real Estate Group Novice Hurdle on day two of the Punchestown Festival. The pair had been successful at the Cheltenham Festival in March when Townend steered the six-year-old to a two and a half length triumph in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle. Jasmin De Vaux was sent off the 13.-8 favourite to beat his seven rivals in the 3m race and he was poised to deliver his challenge as the leaders approached the final flight. He was closing on Honesty Policy, who was narrowly in front, when he clipped the obstacle and landed awkwardly. Townend nearly came off the side and when he had managed to regain his balance his feet were out of the stirrups. Nevertheless he made light of the situation to survive the scare and give Jasmin Du Vaux a vigorous ride to pass his rival and score by half a length. Donn McLean, analysing the finish for RacingTV, said: 'He seemed to jump the last pretty well, landing a bit steeply with the hurdle swinging back at him. 'Then he just kind of stumbled a bit on landing. Paul Townend became unbalanced, got his balance back quickly, lost his iron, then the other iron out, then got into the drive position. 'What a feat of horsemanship to be able to help the horse in that situation and get him going forward. The attitude Jasmin Du Vaux has shown as well to get up and get the better of a Grade 1 winner on his inside.' Townend said: 'It was all in at the last and he got a bit high and I got unbalanced but if the engine is in there, we can iron out my mistakes. 'I had to win it a couple of times and then when momentum went at the last he was still able to pick up and go again. He's come a long way from the start of the season but he can still improve.' Mullins said: 'He just does it when he has to. He's not the world 's best jumper. Paul asked him for a big one at the last, he gave it to him but he nearly tipped him out of the saddle. It was great jockeyship by Paul to stay in the saddle, with I think one iron probably. 'It's a fantastic achievement to get that done, get the job done. He did what needed to be done. He's got a huge engine, maybe he'll jump fences better – I don't know. 'If you can just get him near the winning post, get him over his hurdles without losing too much ground, he's able to make it up on the flat.'
RTÉ News
30-04-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Jasmin De Vaux edges out Honesty Policy at Punchestown
Paul Townend excelled as Cheltenham winner Jasmin De Vaux edged out Aintree victor Honesty Policy in a thrilling finish to the Channor Real Estate Group Novice Hurdle at Punchestown. A notoriously iffy jumper at the best of times, Jasmin De Vaux appeared to be coming to win the race before making a mistake at the final flight. Townend lost his right iron shortly after landing and rather than try and get that one back, he kicked his left one out. That enabled him to get into a position to ride the strongest finish possible as quickly as he could - and it was an inspired decision. Mark Walsh had charted the inside course on Gordon Elliott's Honesty Policy, who lost little in defeat, as Townend swept around the outside. It was Jasmin De Vaux (13-8 favourite), winner of last year's Champion Bumper at Cheltenham before this year's Albert Bartlett success, who had the greater speed on the flat, though, and won by half a length. Winning trainer Willie Mullins said: "He just does it when he has to. He's not the world's best jumper. Paul asked him for a big one at the last, he gave it to him but he nearly tipped him out of the saddle. "It was great jockeyship by Paul to stay in the saddle, with I think one iron probably. "It's a fantastic achievement to get that done, get the job done. He did what needed to be done. "He's got a huge engine, maybe he'll jump fences better - I don't know. "If you can just get him near the winning post, get him over his hurdles without losing too much ground, he's able to make it up on the flat."
Irish Daily Mirror
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Punchestown Festival 2025 day 2 tips: Robbie Power's selections for Wednesday
The Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup is a fascinating contest today despite there only being four runners. However, they are four top quality horses in Galopin Des Champs, Spillane's Tower, Banbridge and Monty's Star. Galopin Des Champs has never produced around Punchestown what he has done around Leopardstown and Cheltenham so I'd oppose him for that reason. Banbridge might just be the one here, with the track and ground to suit Joseph O'Brien's nine-year-old. He was disappointing in the Gold Cup, but back in a small field on nice ground, the King George winner could land another massive pot. The ground won't be in Spillane's Tower' favour, while Monty's Star ran well when fourth in the Gold Cup. He didn't have the ideal preparation for it and comes into this in much better form and will like the drying ground. He has a bit to find with Galopin Des Champs, but is entitled to take his chance and should run his race. Click on this link or scan the QR code to receive the latest Cheltenham Festival news and top stories from the Irish Mirror direct to your phone on WhatsApp. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Today's first Grade 1, the Channor Real Estate Group Novice Hurdle, looks like it could be a clash between the Willie Mullins-trained Jasmin De Vaux and Honesty Policy for Gordon Elliott. Jasmin De Vaux was very good when getting his jumping together to win the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham and see off The Big Westerner. But Honesty Policy was also good when winning the Grade 1 Turners Mersey Novices' Hurdle at Aintree. However, I'm going to go for Jasmin De Vaux. He was the Cheltenham Champion Bumper winner last season and is fancied to follow up his Prestbury Park success here. Jasmin De Vaux did not add the Punchestown Champion Bumper to his Cheltenham victory last year and Bambino Fever will aim to do so this time around. The seven-pound mares allowance is huge for her, but I like the look of Colcannon, who comes here fresh having not run since winning at the Dublin Racing Festival and will favour the dry ground. His form got a good boost on Irish Grand National when Sortudo, who was second behind Colcannon, bolted up at Fairyhouse under Patrick Mullins and he is fancied to run a big race again here under Derek O'Connor for Noel Meade. The Adare Manor Opportunity Series Final Handicap Hurdle kicks off the action today at 2.30 and it's a very competitive contest. In For The Night for trainer Desmond McDonogh is up seven pounds for winning at Naas last time out and he is interesting under Charlie O'Dwyer. Henry de Bromhead runs three in the opener and Nouvotic, who won a maiden hurdle at Wexford when last seen on the track last July, is one I'd be keeping on side. This six-year-old is open to further progression and should give Ethan O'Sullivan, who claims four pounds, a good spin. The Connolly's RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Hurdle Series Final comes next at 3.05 and Champagne Jury and Downmexicoway look like the two for me here. Champagne Jury was second in an auction novice hurdle to Honesty Policy at Leopardstown back in March. That's the best line of form in the race and he looks like the one they all have to beat, but Downmexicoway is the highest rated horse in the race and could be the one to give Champagne Jury plenty to do. In the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel Hurdle at 3.40, I'd be siding with Kaid d'Authie for Willie Mullins and JP McManus, with Mark Walsh on board. He was disappointing the last day when pulled up behind The New Lion in the Turners Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. But he did win a maiden hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas when beating Kottail Divin, which is a decent line of form and I'd side with him in another open race. In the penultimate race at 6.05, Lets Go Champ is fancied to win this contest again following his victory in it 12 months ago. He comes into it in good form and the better ground will suit this 10-year-old, with Rachael Blackmore onboard. And Seo Linn will take all the beating in the Weatherbys Mares bumper at 6.35 following her impressive win at Aintree earlier this month. Bet of the day - Let's Go Champ - 6.05
