Latest news with #HonestyPolicy
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."
Extra.ie
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Extra.ie
Spillane's Tower can rise above small but quality Punchestown field
Here are just four runners in this year's Punchestown Gold Cup, but you don't need quantity when you've quality of this level. Galopin Des Champs has been dethroned as the king of Cheltenham, but he's never really been the king of Punchestown, because from five visits to the track over fences, he has won only once. Banbridge is the King George winner who disappointed at Cheltenham and Spillane's Tower hasn't been seen since he disappointed in the King George. So there's many balls in the air here, and no certainties. Spillane's Tower, with Mark Walsh up, on their way to victory at Fairyhouse last year. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile I know my parents are really happy with Spillane's Tower and while they were disappointed they couldn't run at Aintree due to the drying ground conditions, they are confident he could run a career-best here. He's my selection to win this — call it what you want, maybe it's my heart leading my head. But to see Spillane's Tower winning today, well that would be the result of the week for me. In the Grade One bumper (4.50), I think Colcannon is going to run a big race for Noel Meade. Colcannon, with Derek O'Connor up, on their way to victory at Leopardstown earlier this year. Pic: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile The obvious solution to this puzzle is Bambino Fever, but she's a very short-priced favourite out of the Willie Mullins yard. I just think Colcannon could run a big race because his form from Leopardstown is working out really well. It's a small field in this as well, and he drops in last so his running style will really suit a small field. Expect Derek Connor to play his cards late and maybe catch the mare on the line. The day's other Grade One is the three-mile Channor Novice Hurdle (4.15), for which I like Honesty Policy, trained by Gordon Elliott. I think stepping up to three miles will really improve his chances. He was a winner at two and a half miles at Aintree, and he looked like he was going as quick as he could go everywhere, so the extra half-mile should really suit. Honesty Policy, with Mark Walsh up, on their way to victory at Aintree. Pic:And while I respect Jasmin De Vaux, I don't believe he's as fluent a hurdler as Honesty Policy who's a year younger and maybe has more improvement to come. Cork jockey John Shinnick is two winners off the leader in the race to be crowned champion conditional jockey and he will be hoping he can win on Fairyland Opera in the first race on the card, the Adare Manor Opportunity Final Handicap Hurdle (2.30) over two miles and three furlongs. She's a mare who was a very easy winner at Tramore last time and given her placed form before that, I think Fairyland Opera could defy a rating of 114 and provide Lorna Fowler with an opening race winner. Next is the Red Mills Auction Series Final (3.05) and Millforce catches my eye here. I was in Thurles when he won over two miles, six furlongs and he showed pace that day, so I'm not surprised they're dropping back slightly in trip. Keith Donoghue would have had the choice between Millforce and Champagne Jury as both are trained by Gavin Cromwell, and he's opted to stay loyal to the top horse. So I think Millforce has the experience and the potential class to win this race. The Louis Fitzgerald Hurdle is a race for horses who have won only once over hurdles. Spillane's Tower managed to get beaten in it two seasons ago. I think Kaid D'authie is better than we've seen. He won at Leopardstown over Christmas, making all the running, and obviously his connections rated him very highly because his next two runs, while he disappointed, were in Grade One company. Kaid D'authie (right) at Leopardstown in 2024. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile They're putting cheek-pieces on him now because perhaps he's keeping the lion's share of his energy up his own sleeve. I reckon Kaid D'authie is going to take a lot of beating in this race because it's a winners of one, but they thought he was a Grade One horse. Trainer Paddy Twomey is one of the rising stars of the Flat scene, but when he has one on the National Hunt front, you do take notice. I rode a Bumper winner for him at the Punchestown Festival many moons ago before he became the man he's known as today. That was on a 33-1 shot, Timing's everything, but today Seo Linn won't be any such fancy odds in the Grade Three Mares' Bumper (6.35). After winning at the Cheltenham November meeting and the Aintree meeting just gone, I think she can make it a treble by winning this one under Barry O'Neill. Trainer Paddy Twomey. Pic: INPHO/Morgan Treacy In the Colm Quinn BMW Handicap Chase, Must Be Obeyed catches my eye, but be warned — she does not tend to live up to her name. She can be very cantankerous, particularly at the start where she sometimes sabotages her own chance. But with the cheekpieces fitted first time, I think she can make it her first win since January 2023 under Darragh O'Keeffe, who is riding her at 10st 1lb. She's been dropped to a mark of 126, expect Must Be Obeyed to be on the pace with those first-time cheekpieces and she may well be hard to catch.
The Independent
05-04-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Grand National results LIVE: Winners, odds and latest updates on huge day of Aintree racing
The Grand National Festival concludes today with blockbuster showdown at Aintree Racecourse that the last couple of days have been building to. 2024 Grand National champion I Am Maximus is the pre-race favourite with the bookmakers and at the top weight of 11st 12lbs he'll have a tough job on his hands to emulate Grand National legends Red Rum and Tiger Roll by winning the race two years in a row. Competitors include the blazingly good Stumptown and Intense Raffles as well as an Irish chaser Perceval Legallois who is being tipped for a surprising victory in front of the thousands of fans gathered to watch. Aintree day three tips Just under 10 minutes to go until the next day, with a quick turnaround here. Here's Sam Turner's tip for the race... 2.30pm - William Hill Handicap Chase Imperial Saint – 1/2pt ew This trip represents a step into the unknown for Imperial Saint, but his racing style suggests the step up is within his compass and he should appreciate the return to his favoured venue. The selection is 3-3 at Aintree and was an impressive winner when scoring here on Boxing Day by six lengths. He also boasts good ground form on his CV, courtesy of a brace of victories on Merseyside before Christmas. Chris Wilson5 April 2025 14:22 Honesty Policy wins Turners Mersey Novices' Hurdle Here's the top three from race number two then. 1 - Honesty Policy - 5/1 2 - Regent's Stroll - 9/1 3 - Funiculi Funicula - 12/1 Chris Wilson5 April 2025 14:18 Honesty Policy wins Turners Mersey Novices' Hurdle 'He's as honest as it is,' says jockey Mark Walsh, who'll be riding Perceval Legallois in the Grand National later. 'Delighted for Gordon and all the team, it means a lot to them. 'Looking forward to it now, I'm here and ready to go,' he says of the National. Chris Wilson5 April 2025 14:07 Honesty Policy wins Turners Mersey Novices' Hurdle Down the final straight it looked like Regent's Stroll had won it, but Honesty Policy runs him down to finish half a length ahead! Chris Wilson5 April 2025 14:04 Turners Mersey Novices' Hurdle One hurdle left and Regent's Stroll leads, with Koktail Divin second! 5 April 2025 14:03 Turners Mersey Novices' Hurdle Five hurdles to go and Regent's Stroll still leads, with Rachel Blackmore and Koktail Divin in second. Miami Magic and Kappa Jy Pyke are catching up just behind. Chris Wilson5 April 2025 14:02 Turners Mersey Novices' Hurdle Regent's Stroll in an early lead in this one. Two groups have formed already, with Koktail Divin and Miami Magic in second and third. 5 April 2025 14:00 Turners Mersey Novices' Hurdle A delayed start in this one but after everyone gets settled again we're underway in the second race of the day! Chris Wilson5 April 2025 13:59 Turners Mersey Novices' Hurdle Horaces Pearl is favourite for this one, with 3/1 offered. Miami Magic is second at 7/2, with Honesty Policy and Regent's Stroll at 5/1. 5 April 2025 13:51 Aintree day three tips 10 minutes until the second race of the day, so here's the next tip... 1.55pm - Turners Mersey Novices' Hurdle Lulamba – 2pt win Fingle Bridge – 1/2pt ew Lulamba has looked a talented horse in his two UK hurdle events to date and was perhaps a little unlucky to be picked off late on by an unconsidered hurdling debutant in the Triumph Hurdle. The step up to two-and-a-half miles should be ideal and he can stamp his class on this race. There is a chance the betting markets may underestimate the ability of Fingle Bridge who has been plying his trade in minor races to date. He copes well with spring ground and could outrun his odds.
