Latest news with #DublinRacingFestival
The 42
02-05-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Willie Mullins' Final Demand stamps class in Punchestown Champion Hurdle
WILLIE MULLINS' FINAL Demand stamped his class on the Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown with an all-the-way success. A winner at the Dublin Racing Festival, he was sent off favourite for the Turners Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham but could only finish third behind The New Lion and The Yellow Clay. He faced Gordon Elliott's 5-4 favourite The Yellow Clay once again, but he took a heavy fall at the last when well held in third. In truth the race was over by the second-last as Paul Townend continued to wind up the pace in the final half-mile, with the 7-4 shot drawing further and further clear. 'It was an awesome performance over that trip,' said Mullins. 'Paul felt he didn't go fast enough in Cheltenham and he said to Caroline (Tisdall, owner) 'today I'm going to show him off'. 'I saw him jumping the first and second and I wasn't happy until he jumped the third that he was jumping well. Advertisement 'Then he was electric over a few of his hurdles, for a big chaser to jump the way he did – he was getting lengths at his hurdles when it mattered. 'I thought he was going to tire around the fifth-last or fourth-last after the pace, but then he'd go down to the hurdle and just take a length out of a horse behind him. 'If you can jump fences like that he's one to look forward to.' When asked if he had schooled over fences, Mullins added: 'No, not at home. There will be time enough next autumn. He won his point-to-point so he's well able to jump. 'He's not a horse you'd want to stand on your foot! He's really one to look forward to.' Dinoblue followed up her Cheltenham success in even easier fashion in the Hanlon Concrete Irish EBF Glencarraig Lady Francis Flood Mares Chase. Only four went to post for the Grade Two event and it was dominated by the two Mullins stablemates, Dinoblue (4-7 favourite) and Allegorie De Vassy. Allegorie De Vassy was a late faller at Cheltenham after being passed by Dinoblue and the time before had been beaten a neck by the same rival in the Opera Hat Chase. This time Townend laid it all out from early on and took a sizeable early lead, but Mark Walsh gradually reeled her in on Dinoblue and went away to win by 35 lengths. Mullins later confirmed the runner-up had run her last race. 'She was very good today. I was hoping that Allegorie might get her own back on her after Cheltenham, but it wasn't going to be that way today,' said Mullins. 'Allegorie is in foal to Jukebox Jury so she's retired now. 'Dinoblue looks to be getting better and better and hopefully we have her for next season. I don't see her going to stud for a while yet.' Frank Berry said, winning owner JP McManus' racing manager, said: 'You could set your clock by her every day. 'She jumped great and she's just a pleasure to have around. She never lets you down. 'I'd say it's her best year and she's maybe better than ever. 'She'll have another season. She'll stick to the mares' races. There is a good programme for them and it suits her well.'
Irish Independent
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Punchestown Day 4: State Man rules supreme as Constitution Hill disappoints in Champion Hurdle showdown
The Grade One contest staged a mouthwatering rematch between the Willie Mullins and Nicky Henderson-trained superstars, who both fell in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, with the presence of Jeremy Scott's eventual Champion Hurdle heroine Golden Ace adding further spice. Despite suffering a second successive fall in the Aintree Hurdle, Constitution Hill was a heavily-supported 8-13 favourite to get back on the winning trail on his first trip to Ireland, but he was a spent force from before the home turned and weakened rapidly out of contention. In contrast, State Man (9-4) - who looked to have a second Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham at his mercy when crashing out at the final obstacle at Prestbury Park in mid-March - continued to pour it on in front under Paul Townend and came home with four and three-quarter lengths in hand over Golden Ace. Willie Mullins' Final Demand stamped his class on the Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle with an all-the-way success. A winner at the Dublin Racing Festival, he was sent off favourite for the Turners Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham but could only finish third behind The New Lion and The Yellow Clay. He faced Gordon Elliott's 5-4 favourite The Yellow Clay once again, but he took a heavy fall at the last when well held in third. In truth the race was over by the second-last as Paul Townend continued to wind up the pace in the final half-mile, with the 7-4 shot drawing further and further clear. 'It was an awesome performance over that trip,' said Mullins. 'Paul felt he didn't go fast enough in Cheltenham and he said to Caroline (Tisdall, owner) 'today I'm going to show him off'. 'I saw him jumping the first and second and I wasn't happy until he jumped the third that he was jumping well. ADVERTISEMENT 'Then he was electric over a few of his hurdles, for a big chaser to jump the way he did – he was getting lengths at his hurdles when it mattered. 'I thought he was going to tire around the fifth-last or fourth-last after the pace, but then he'd go down to the hurdle and just take a length out of a horse behind him. 'If you can jump fences like that he's one to look forward to.' When asked if he had schooled over fences, Mullins added: 'No, not at home. There will be time enough next autumn. He won his point-to-point so he's well able to jump. 'He's not a horse you'd want to stand on your foot! He's really one to look forward to.' Dinoblue followed up her Cheltenham success in even easier fashion in the Hanlon Concrete Irish EBF Glencarraig Lady Francis Flood Mares Chase. Only four went to post for the Grade Two event and it was dominated by the two Mullins stablemates, Dinoblue (4-7 favourite) and Allegorie De Vassy. Allegorie De Vassy was a late faller at Cheltenham after being passed by Dinoblue and the time before had been beaten a neck by the same rival in the Opera Hat Chase. This time Townend laid it all out from early on and took a sizeable early lead, but Mark Walsh gradually reeled her in on Dinoblue and went away to win by 35 lengths. Mullins later confirmed the runner-up had run her last race. 'She was very good today. I was hoping that Allegorie might get her own back on her after Cheltenham, but it wasn't going to be that way today,' said Mullins. 'Allegorie is in foal to Jukebox Jury so she's retired now. 'Dinoblue looks to be getting better and better and hopefully we have her for next season. I don't see her going to stud for a while yet.' Frank Berry said, winning owner JP McManus' racing manager, said: 'You could set your clock by her every day. 'She jumped great and she's just a pleasure to have around. She never lets you down. 'I'd say it's her best year and she's maybe better than ever. 'She'll have another season. She'll stick to the mares' races. There is a good programme for them and it suits her well.'
RTÉ News
02-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Punchestown round-up: Final Demand routs rivals
Willie Mullins' Final Demand stamped his class on the Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown with an all-the-way success. A winner at the Dublin Racing Festival, he was sent off favourite for the Turners Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham but could only finish third behind The New Lion and The Yellow Clay. He faced Gordon Elliott's 5-4 favourite The Yellow Clay once again, but he took a heavy fall at the last when well held in third. In truth the race was over by the second-last as Paul Townend continued to wind up the pace in the final half-mile, with the 7-4 shot drawing further and further clear. Paul Townend and Final Demand take the Grade 1 victory in the Champion Novice Hurdle. #rteracing 📺 Watch: @rte2 & @rteplayer 📱 Results: — RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) May 2, 2025 "It was an awesome performance over that trip," said Mullins. "Paul felt he didn't go fast enough in Cheltenham and he said to Caroline (Tisdall, owner) 'today I'm going to show him off'. "I saw him jumping the first and second and I wasn't happy until he jumped the third that he was jumping well. "Then he was electric over a few of his hurdles, for a big chaser to jump the way he did – he was getting lengths at his hurdles when it mattered. "I thought he was going to tire around the fifth-last or fourth-last after the pace, but then he'd go down to the hurdle and just take a length out of a horse behind him. "If you can jump fences like that he's one to look forward to." When asked if he had schooled over fences, Mullins added: "No, not at home. There will be time enough next autumn. He won his point-to-point so he's well able to jump. "He's not a horse you'd want to stand on your foot! He's really one to look forward to." Dinoblue followed up her Cheltenham success in even easier fashion in the Hanlon Concrete Irish EBF Glencarraig Lady Francis Flood Mares Chase. Only four went to post for the Grade Two event and it was dominated by the two Mullins stablemates, Dinoblue (4-7 favourite) and Allegorie De Vassy. Allegorie De Vassy was a late faller at Cheltenham after being passed by Dinoblue and the time before had been beaten a neck by the same rival in the Opera Hat Chase. This time Townend laid it all out from early on and took a sizeable early lead, but Mark Walsh gradually reeled her in on Dinoblue and went away to win by 35 lengths. Mullins later confirmed the runner-up had run her last race. Dino Blue lived up to expectations to win the Mares Chase by some distance at Punchestown. #rteracing 📺 Watch: @rte2 & @rteplayer 📱 Results: — RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) May 2, 2025 "She was very good today. I was hoping that Allegorie might get her own back on her after Cheltenham, but it wasn't going to be that way today," said Mullins. "Allegorie is in foal to Jukebox Jury so she's retired now. "Dinoblue looks to be getting better and better and hopefully we have her for next season. I don't see her going to stud for a while yet." Frank Berry said, winning owner JP McManus' racing manager, said: "You could set your clock by her every day. "She jumped great and she's just a pleasure to have around. She never lets you down. "I'd say it's her best year and she's maybe better than ever. "She'll have another season. She'll stick to the mares' races. There is a good programme for them and it suits her well." "Dinoblue looks to be getting better and better..." - Willie Mullins is looking forward to another year with the winner. #rteracing 📺 Watch: @rte2 & @rteplayer 📱 Results: — RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) May 2, 2025
Extra.ie
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Extra.ie
This Diamond in the rough is ready to sparkle at Punchestown
What a fantastic week we're having here at Punchestown, it's great to enjoy such quality racing in glorious sunshine. Let's start our look at day three's card with the feature race, the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers' Hurdle (6.0). I think we could get a funny result here. Many of the main protagonists don't appreciate quick going conditions. Teahupoo, Home By The Lee, Crambo, Asterion Forlonge, they all prefer the rain. With that in mind, I'm going to go for an outsider, and I think Declan Queally's Rocky's Diamond could spring something of a surprise. Rocky's Diamond winning at Gowran Park earlier this year. Pic: INPHO/Morgan Treacy Despite his win in the Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park and his promising run when fourth in the Cheltenham equivalent, I think this guy will actually improve for drying ground conditions, given his breeding. Hiddenvalley Lake will be tough to beat but Rocky's Diamond, under Shane Fitzgerald, might just spring a surprise for the Dungarvan family. The Barberstown Castle Novice Chase (5.25) over two miles is a foregone conclusion — if Majborough jumps, he wins. Majborough at the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown earlier this year. Pic: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile Despite throwing his chance away at the Cheltenham Festival with multiple jumping mistakes, he still only got beaten less than a length by Jango Baie and Only By Night, who reopposes. He was never considered a bad jumper before Cheltenham, and I hope he'll put that right with a clear round of jumping here. That would be giving Willie Mullins his 12th win in this race. The Close Brothers Mares' Novice Hurdle is at 4.50. Plenty of these have had busy campaigns, including running in the Grade One Honeysuckle Hurdle over Easter at Fairyhouse. One filly that skipped that assignment was Sixandahalf and that was due to the rain softening the ground — how a couple of days make such a difference. Sixandahalf racing at Cheltenham in March. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile The sunshine here will really be up her street. The quick ground and the trip will really bring out the best in her, because I consider her a very speedy filly. Rachael Blackmore picked her pocket at Cheltenham so make no mistake Keith Donoghue will be playing his cards late here. Both are likely odds-on favourites, Sixandahalf and Majborough could be two for a double. The Conway Piling Handicap Hurdle (4.15) run over just shy of three miles is a hugely difficult puzzle for which I'm going to side with Flicker Of Hope for Mark Fahey. Disappointing in the Albert Bartlett Grade One at Cheltenham last time, I think there's more to come from this six-year-old and I'm willing to give him another chance. His run behind Perceval Legallois at the Dublin Racing Festival is an encouraging one, and with Conor StoneWalsh taking three pounds off his allotted weight of 11st 2lb, I think he has an each-way chance to make an impression in a big field. Perceval Legallois and Flicker Of Hope battle it out at the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown earlier this year. Pic: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile The Frontline Security Handicap Chase (3.05) over two miles is a prize headed for export, in my opinion. We saw the British horses hit the board on the first day of the Festival, and I expect they might just take home a few more euros here, too courtesy of No 13, Keep Running. Warren Greatrex has plundered prizes at this Festival before and this guy had a solid run at Kempton in February behind Bad, before which he showed his aptitude for quick ground by winning at Ludlow and Ffos Las. I think this guy with the newly crowned British champion jockey Sean Bowen aboard can make a big impression. The opening race of the day is the Specialist Group Handicap Hurdle (2.30). Trainer Gavin Cromwell. Pic: INPHO/Morgan Treacy The Other Mozzie carries top weight in this, but for a good reason. If he were running over fences, he would be running off a rating of 145, but he is running off his hurdle rating today of 119. That's obviously attractive. And that combined with the fact that I think he'll appreciate good ground conditions suggests to me that he is well handicapped. He disappointed behind Caldwell Potter in the novice handicap chase at the Cheltenham Festival, but reverting to hurdles could be an inspired move by Gavin Cromwell. He's still only a six-year-old and I think The Other Mozzie can justify his burden of top weight in the opener to get us off to a flying start.
The Herald Scotland
30-04-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Bambino Fever further enhances outstanding bumper record
The five-year-old had already won at the Dublin Racing Festival and she followed up impressively under Townend in the Cheltenham Champion Bumper. Champion Bumper double! Top-class mare Bambino Fever remains unbeaten and lands more Grade 1 glory under Jody Townend in the @raceandstay At Punchestown Champion INH Flat Race for Willie Mullins 👏 — Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 30, 2025 While that attracted its usual big field, this race was a different affair and Mullins tried to dictate matters on Copacabana, but Townend always appeared to have him covered. Despite the small field, Noel Meade's Colcannon ended up short of room as the pace quickened and Bambino Fever and Switch From Diesel shot clear. Bambino Fever (11-8 favourite) displayed a smart turn of foot and kept her only challenger at bay by two and a quarter lengths. It meant back-to-back wins in the Grade One for Townend, who rode Redemption Day to victory in the corresponding race last year. Bambino Fever coasts to victory (Niall Carson/PA Willie Mullins said: 'She looks like a very good filly. It wasn't as fast a race as we thought it was going to be and she was still able to quicken off it. She's got gears as well. 'I thought it would be very hard to take Jody off after what she has done all year on her. 'That'll be it now and we'll look forward to next season, going jumping. 'She's a tough, strong filly. Even if she doesn't do anything else, she's done enough now anyway, but I'm really looking forward to going jumping, the way she is bred.'
