Latest news with #SBKIrishEBFMaresChampionHurdle
The 42
03-05-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Joy for Mullins as Jade De Grugy too good for Brighterdaysahead, Lulamba boost for Henderson
JADE DE GRUGY produced a career-best performance to continue Willie Mullins' recent domination of the SBK Irish EBF Mares Champion Hurdle at Punchestown The Closutton handler had saddled eight of the last 10 winners of the Grade One contest and having finished best of the rest behind esteemed stablemate Lossiemouth in the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, Jade De Grugy was even-money to add to his tally. After initially being settled in third place by Paul Townend, the six-year-old was allowed to stride on in front heading out for the second circuit, a move which was covered by her main rival Brighterdaysahead, who was bidding to bounce back from a disappointing run in the Champion Hurdle. The big two were clear of the chasing pack rounding the home turn and Jade De Grugy always looked to be going the better, pulling further ahead in the straight to score by six and a half lengths. A tiring Brighterdaysahead was eventually beaten to the runner-up spot by the winner's stablemate Gala Marceau. Mullins said of the winner: 'She's a mare that's been improving all year. Nicer ground was a big help and tactically Paul was brilliant. 'Brighterdaysahead probably just had a very hard race at Christmas and she never really recovered from it. Advertisement 'We're delighted to be able to win a Grade One with a filly like this and I'd say we'll probably train her for the Mares' Hurdle again next year.' Later at Punchestown, Lulamba turned the tables on his Cheltenham Festival conqueror Poniros to land the Ballymore Champion Four Year Old Hurdle. So impressive on his British debut at Ascot, Nicky Henderson's Lulamba looked set to follow up in the Triumph Hurdle after getting the better of a protracted battle with East India Dock. But both were caught late by the Willie Mullins-trained 100-1 shot Poniros, who was making his hurdling debut. Lulamba was an 11-10 favourite to exact his revenge on Irish soil and give Henderson and jockey James Bowen a welcome boost following Constitution Hill's disappointing run in the Boodles Champion Hurdle just over 24 hours earlier – and ultimately did so in good style. Always close to the pace, Lulamba led Poniros into the home straight and finished strongly from the final flight to win the rematch by four lengths, with Hello Neighbour a close-up third. Lulamba was providing owners Joe and Marie Donnelly with their second Grade One winner of the week following State Man's victory over Constitution Hill on Friday. 'These are big days, it's been a big week and a great week for the Donnelly family. Two winners like that is pretty special,' said Henderson. 'We tried to get in the way yesterday, it was a bitter pill, but well done them. Now we've done it together.' He added: 'This is a fantastic place, we love it. This is a proper horse for another day. He deserves it as much as everybody. 'I wouldn't say he was unlucky not to win in Cheltenham, he couldn't do anything about it at the time and we got a bit of revenge there. 'He's a lovely horse for the future, you wouldn't be surprised if he didn't come back over fences next year. I don't know, it's early days and it's only the fourth race of his life. 'He's a big baby to be doing juvenile hurdles against Flat horses, so fair credit to him.' Of Constitution Hill, Henderson said: 'He's OK. He's a bit sore, but he's fine. 'He's got a long summer in front of him, he'll be back.'
Irish Examiner
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Jade De Grugy too good for Brightersdaysahead in Mares Champion Hurdle at Punchestown
Jade De Grugy produced a career-best performance to continue Willie Mullins' recent domination of the SBK Irish EBF Mares Champion Hurdle at Punchestown. The Closutton handler had saddled eight of the last 10 winners of the Grade One contest and having finished best of the rest behind esteemed stablemate Lossiemouth in the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, Jade De Grugy was even-money to add to his tally. After initially being settled in third place by Paul Townend, the six-year-old was allowed to stride on in front heading out for the second circuit, a move which was covered by her main rival Brighterdaysahead, who was bidding to bounce back from a disappointing run in the Champion Hurdle. The big two were clear of the chasing pack rounding the home turn and Jade De Grugy always looked to be going the better, pulling further ahead in the straight to score by six and a half lengths. A tiring Brighterdaysahead was eventually beaten to the runner-up spot by the winner's stablemate Gala Marceau. Mullins said of the winner: "She's a mare that's been improving all year. Nicer ground was a big help and tactically Paul was brilliant. "Brighterdaysahead probably just had a very hard race at Christmas and she never really recovered from it. "We're delighted to be able to win a Grade One with a filly like this and I'd say we'll probably train her for the Mares' Hurdle again next year."
RTÉ News
03-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Jade De Grugy proves too good for Brighterdaysahead t Punchestown
Jade De Grugy produced a career-best performance to continue Willie Mullins' recent domination of the SBK Irish EBF Mares Champion Hurdle at Punchestown. The Closutton handler had saddled eight of the last 10 winners of the Grade One contest and having finished best of the rest behind esteemed stablemate Lossiemouth in the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, Jade De Grugy was even-money to add to his tally. Jade De Grugy wins the Grade 1 Mares Champion Hurdle under Paul Townend. Watch the final day of the #PunchestownFestival now on @rteone & @rteplayer #RTEsport — RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) May 3, 2025 After initially being settled in third place by Paul Townend, the six-year-old was allowed to stride on in front heading out for the second circuit, a move which was covered by her main rival Brighterdaysahead, who was bidding to bounce back from a disappointing run in the Champion Hurdle. The big two were clear of the chasing pack rounding the home turn and Jade De Grugy always looked to be going the better, pulling further ahead in the straight to score by six and a half lengths. A tiring Brighterdaysahead was eventually beaten to the runner-up spot by the winner's stablemate Gala Marceau. Mullins said of the winner: "She's a mare that's been improving all year. Nicer ground was a big help and tactically Paul was brilliant. "Brighterdaysahead probably just had a very hard race at Christmas and she never really recovered from it. "We're delighted to be able to win a Grade One with a filly like this and I'd say we'll probably train her for the Mares' Hurdle again next year."
Irish Daily Mirror
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Punchestown Festival day 5 tips: Robbie Power's selections for Saturday
After a cracking few days of action at the Punchestown Festival, the curtain comes down on the National Hunt season at the Co Kildare venue today. The SBK Irish EBF Mares Champion Hurdle at 3.42 is the feature race and looks a good opportunity for Brighterdaysahead to return to winning ways in the absence of Lossiemouth after she was well beaten when finishing fourth in the Champion Hurdle. She's got to leave that below par run at Cheltenham well behind her. That was definitely well below what she is capable of and that performance wouldn't even be good enough to win this race. At the price she is, I'd be trying to avoid her and take her on with Jade De Grugy, who was second to Lossiemouth in the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham, and I think she has a good chance here against the favourite. The Handicap Chase at 3.05 is wide open. Gordon Elliott does well with his staying chasers. Fortunedefortunata won a Grand National trial at this venue back in February before finishing fifth in the Midlands National at Uttoxeter a few weeks later. The ground drying out would be a big concern for him, but one I think has a good each way chance is Tom Gibney's Meyo, who is down towards the bottom of the handicap. He was third at Down Royal on his last start and looks capable of running into a place again under Mike O'Connor. JP McManus has three interesting runners in the Palmerstown House Estate Pat Taaffe Handicap Chase at 4.15. The target for Canal End had been the Irish Grand National, but he didn't quite make the cut to get in and I'd have huge respect for him with Mark Walsh on his back for Peter Fahey. But Majestic Force is the one I'm siding with to win for Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore. She was a good winner when stepping up to three miles at Wexford in a beginners chase on her last start and in her first start this season in Cork she was second when beaten half a length by Spindleberry. We've seen what Spindleberry has gone on to do and off a mark of 126 I think she will be very competitive. The Ballymore Champion Four Year Old Hurdle at 4.50 is a fantastic renewal. 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. Willie Mullins is responsible for nine of the 12 runners and I'm going to take him on with Lulamba, who I thought was robbed by Poniros in Cheltenham. I think he can get compensation here for that narrow defeat for Nicky Henderson, with James Bowen replacing Nico de Boinville in the saddle. D Art D Art is one who is probably open to improvement in the Lawlor's Of Naas Handicap Hurdle at 5.25, but dropping back in trip would be a slight concern. Wellington Arch is the one I like here for Jonjo & A J O'Neill, who won a handicap chase at this venue on Thursday with Petit Tonnerre. Wellington Arch won a handicap hurdle at Aintree last month when beating Kopeck De Mee. That is strong form and he sneaks in towards the bottom of the handicap with a weight of 10-6 and I think he has a great chance. The DAR Golf Construction (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race at 6.00 is a very interesting bumper and all eyes will be on Quantum Boy for Willie and Patrick Mullins in the colours of JP McManus. He won a point-to-point by 40 lengths when trained by Jonathan Fogarty before changing hands and that was very impressive. It will be interesting to see what he does on his racecourse debut. Bet of the day - Lulamba - 4.50
Irish Daily Mirror
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Lossiemouth being primed for next season says Willie Mullins
Willie Mullins has set his sights on the next season with Lossiemouth, after deciding to withdraw his star mare from the Punchestown Festival. Lossiemouth, who has won 11 of her 14 starts, successfully defended her title in the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham last month and followed it up with a win in the Aintree Hurdle in early April. Despite expectations that she would compete against the geldings in the Boodles Champion Hurdle at Punchestown on Friday, connections decided against it. She was also expected to aim for consecutive wins in Saturday's SBK Irish EBF Mares Champion Hurdle, but was not confirmed on Tuesday. Explaining her absence, Mullins said: 'She misses Punchestown but she will be back next season. I don't think we'll be going to France with her. 'It's disappointing to miss the last day of the season but she'll be fine in a week or two and we'll prepare her for next season.'
