30-04-2025
David Pipe's Thanksforthehelp scores for JP McManus at Punchestown as Constitution Hill confirmed for Friday
Pipe, whose American Sniper also ran well to finish sixth under a big weight, was adding to wins for Mike Smith and Harry Derham on the opening day.
Thanksforthehelp (14-1) was one of five runners in the race for owner JP McManus, who sponsored the race, and it was the blue capped runner who led them home under Gavin Brouder.
"On his day, he's a decent horse. He probably could have done with the ground being a bit softer but Gavin Brouder gave him a great ride and he battled strongly, and was very brave today," said Pipe.
"We thought he had a decent each-way chance. We had two in the race and the other one finished sixth, he ran well.
"It's lovely to get a winner for JP. We've had some nice winners here in the past and it's great to have another one."
Kaid d'Authie (9-4) was the first winning favourite of the meeting at the 11th attempt in the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel Hurdle.
Pulled up in the Turners at Cheltenham, a change of headgear brought about a different result for Mark Walsh's mount.
As Willie Mullins explained: "We took all the gear off his head and put cheekpieces on instead.
"We put on an ordinary snaffle instead of a chifney as we thought less interference in his mouth might help him jump better. I'm not sure that worked but at least he had a cut at his hurdles anyhow.
"He has no regard for them, we think he'll be a lot better over fences."
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Yvonne Latta's Thisistheway (9-1) was a valuable winner for conditional jockey John Shinnick as he chases down the suspended Tiernan Power Roche for the title. He is now one behind.
Andrew Latta, son and assistant trainer, said: "It's a long time in the planning. The minute she came back in to go hurdling, this has been the target all along.
"To even get here is brilliant but to actually win it is brilliant again."
Meanwhile, Constitution Hill has been declared for his eagerly-anticipated Punchestown Festival appearance in the Champion Hurdle on Friday evenine.
Nicky Henderson had stated his intention to visit Ireland with his hurdling star after he suffered the first loss of his career when falling in this year's Champion Hurdle.
The Seven Barrows flagbearer also came to grief on his next outing in the Aintree Hurdle and arrives at the Kildare track for what is a mouthwatering clash with Willie Mullins' State Man - another to fall in the Champion Hurdle - with questions to answer for the first time in his illustrious career.
There is also a change of jockey for Constitution Hill, with James Bowen deputising for the injured Nico de Boinville, while the eight-year-old will face five rivals that include Jeremy Scott's Champion Hurdle heroine Golden Ace and one of Mullins' Festival winners in Kargese.
