Quevega wins at Punchestown

Sent off the 5-2 favourite, you could have got 4/1 this morning, on the back of her second triumph in the David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, Willie Mullins’ six-year-old travelled ominously well throughout in the hands of Paul Townend. Stablemate Mourad also moved up menacingly on the turn for home, but Townend remained motionless until the final flight, after which his mount quickened clear to score by three lengths.

Alan King’s Bensalem finished strongly to fill the runner-up spot, with Mourad third.

Quevega has been given a quote of 8s for the 2011 World Hurdle with Stan James following her impressive success in the Ladbroke.com World Hurdle at Punchestown

World Hurdle 2011:
Big Bucks 10/11
Zaynar 7/1
Quevega 8/1
Peddlers Cross 8/1
Time For Rupert 10

In a race billed as a heavyweight showdown and an ultimate decider between Paul Nicholls’ stablemates, it was local hero Imperial Commander who prevailed for Nigel Twiston-Davies in a race of towering high drama.

Kauto Star, the 8-11 favourite and winner of the Gold Cup in 2007 and 2009, was unlucky not to deposit Ruby Walsh with an uncharacteristic error at the eighth fence and he was never travelling thereafter.

Walsh was niggling away at the four-time King George VI Chase winner passing the stands and the pair then came to grief four fences from home with an earth-shattering fall.

Thankfully both horse and jockey were quickly on their feet as Imperial Commander squared up to 2008 winner Denman at the head of affairs.

Denman left his abject failure at Newbury last month well behind under Tony McCoy but the bruising combination were fighting for second place as Imperial Commander and Paddy Brennan went on at the second-last.

Any stamina doubts from onlookers were readily brushed aside as the 7-1 chance thundered up the hill for a sixth course success with his seven-length victory.

Although he has won the Grand National twice, Twiston-Davies craves the quiet life and admitted afterwards that “I am low player and like to be the small man”.

But the small man had already nearly upset the colossus of Kauto Star once this season as back in November Imperial Commander ran him to a nose at Haydock.

“You can never be confident of beating Kauto Star as he wins so well every year but both horses were only half-fit at Haydock and he proved himself that day that we are that class,” said Twiston-Davies.

“He is bred to stay and that is all he has ever done. He has always powered up the hill like it was flat and in another 10 yards at Haydock he would have beaten Kauto Star by miles.

“There was not a man in the world who didn’t think we had won that day.

“I am slowly filling my CV and only the Champion Hurdle is missing after Khyber Kim finished second on Tuesday.

“I wanted to win the Grand National more than anything and have two now so they are getting boring!

“We don’t like shouting our mouths off, but I couldn’t understand it as Denman had let his supporters down last time and Kauto cannot do it every year.

“Cooldine had 14lb to find and I couldn’t see how he could do it.

“I was the forgotten man and I hope you forget me again after today.”

Forgetting the jovial Naunton handler would seem unlikely with Imperial Commander due to now take in Betfair Bowl at Aintree in three weeks’ time.

Twiston-Davies added: “I would like to run him at Liverpool. I don’t imagine Denman or Kauto will run so it should be a penalty kick.”

Brennan breezed past the winning post with his finger pressed firmly to his lips, and explaining the expression, he said: “All we have heard of the last three months is Kauto Star and Denman. It is good for racing but it was never a two-horse race.

“It’s by far the best day of my life. I’m speechless. It was a dream the whole way.

“I saw Kauto’s mistake out of the corner of my eye. Paul Townend (on Cooldine) was next to me and he said Kauto was still there.

“I thought Kauto had to make just one mistake. There was a lot of rubbish talked about Kauto being half-fit at Haydock but we needed the race too.

“I had never had a feeling like it at Haydock with the speed he showed up the straight.

“Kauto is not a young horse and Imperial Commander is improving – he is a serious horse.

“I wanted to get the rail today and once I did I thought he was going pull up for two strides going into the final fence.

“But he sprinted away from the last and he will get four miles.

“The horse on the day was exceptional and I just played a small part.

“This is a serious horse and he will be around a long time.”

Twiston-Davies and Brennan have forged a successful partnership since the rider moved from Howard Johnson’s stable in 2007.

“I am not the easiest person to work with on a day-to-day basis. If I am not winning I am not happy,” Brennan explained.

“Nigel makes me happy every day. He makes me feel that I am the best and you cannot buy that.

“He is not only a boss but a friend and he will be hard to replace.

“I am very proud to sit here and be part of the Nigel Twiston-Davies team.”

Kauto Star Gold Cup Favourite

Only Golden Miller, Cottage Rake, Mill House and Best Mate have ever won the blue riband event three times, and all did it in consecutive seasons.

Kauto Star has already created his own unique piece of history by becoming the first horse to reclaim the prize 12 months ago, and another win for Ruby Walsh’s mount would add yet more lustre to his legacy. Having been kept fresh since winning a fourth King George VI Chase in spectacular fashion, champion trainer Nicholls is feeling bullish again.

“It is impossible to say he is better than ever as it was such a wonderful performance at Kempton,” said Nicholls.

“He worked with Master Minded last weekend and there are very few who can do what he did with a champion chaser.

“When he is fit he is lethal and there is nothing I can say to put anyone off him.”

According to the bookmakers, Kauto Star has most to fear from stablemate and 2008 winner Denman, who finished second 12 months ago after an interrupted preparation.

Yet again Denman’s last appearance before Cheltenham did not go to plan as he left his new jockey, Tony McCoy, on the floor in the Aon Chase which was won by another stablemate, Tricky Trickster.

McCoy is back in the saddle and the racing world is itching to see the two best horses and the two best jockeys competing in the highlight of the season.

“Denman did a very good piece of work with Tricky Trickster at the weekend. The more you do and the more you drill him the better he gets,” added Nicholls.

“You have to remember that before he ran in the Aon he gave 22lb to What A Friend and he went on to win the Lexus.

“He did have a little setback, but he is over that and do not write him off.

“The danger with Denman is that you go off too quick on him and get to the bottom of him too soon.

“He loves a battle and if he had got into a scrap with Niche Market at Newbury he would have loved it.”

One of the few viable alternatives to the big two is last year’s Ryanair winner, Imperial Commander.

Nigel Twiston-Davies’ nine-year-old only went down by a nose to Kauto Star in the Betfair Chase at Haydock in November, and returns to a course where he has won four times over fences after disappointing in Kempton’s King George VI Chase.

“He’s in really good nick and I’m very happy with him. He got within a whisker of beating Kauto Star at Haydock. I couldn’t be happier and I’m really looking forward to it,” the Naunton handler said.

“He certainly will have improved from Haydock. That was his first run of the season and he’s a big burly horse. He’s an awful lot fitter now and he’s really lean and mean and keen.

“The trip is not a problem, he stays forever.

“We’ll be riding our own race but we certainly will be up there with them. Three out at Haydock he had Kauto beat but he made a mistake there that turned the whole thing into a battle.

“He has a high cruising speed and can quicken off that. I don’t think we’re worried about tactics at all.

“He’s won four out of five over fences at Cheltenham. He was very wrong the only time he was beaten there. He damaged a hock and didn’t run for nearly a year.

“Otherwise without that he’d have been unbeaten there.”

Willie Mullins is pinning his hopes on Cooldine improving as much as he did last year.

His novice campaign was highlighted with an authoritative victory in the RSA Chase and he ran a sound trial in the Irish Hennessy on his latest start.

“He seems in good form on the gallops here during the week,” said Mullins.

“Last year he improved hand over fist from race to race and I’m sure he’s improved again since Leopardstown.

“I hope we can get into the money and it is all to play for after that. The race looks like a head-to-head and my fellow needs a good bit of improvement to get between the two of them but that is what we are here to find out.

“He will handle the ground and the trip will bring out his stamina.

“He put in a fantastic round of jumping last year and if he can do the same again this time it will put him right in the race.

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This is a great race, in many ways one of the best of the meeting. It was another Ruby Walsh and Willie Mullins win last year with Cooldine but I don’t think the Irish will get much of a look in here. Nicky Henderson holds all the aces in the 2010 RSA Chase with the two leading fancies.

Long Run has taken over at the head of the market, he was a good winner at Warwick last time out, but it was the reported set back by Punchestowns that cemented his position as RSA Chase favourite.

I am and always have been a Punchestowns fan. If he is right, and I don’t think Nicky would run him if he wasn’t, then I will be a mojor backer. Punchestowns is one of my bankers of the meeting. He was a close second to Big Bucks in the World Hurdle last year and has looked a very high class chaser. Last time at Sandown he made his first jumping error, it was a shocker, but he came back to win and win well.

Punchestowns second to Big Bucks in the World Hurdle

Barry Geraghty takes the mount, he has not had to choose as the owners son, a decent amateur, but an amateur nonetheles, takes the ride on Long Run. If there is nothing between the horses then there is no contest with the jockeys. In my view Punchestowns will win the RSA Chase.

One horse I do like is Diamond Harry who is thrid favourite here. He may just be short of top class but i would like to see him run well and get in the places. Although I like Diamond Harry there is no room for sentiment and Punchestowns is where my money is going in this RSA Chase.
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Arch rivals and stablemates Kauto Star and Denman head a field of 12 left in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday at the confirmation stage.

Kauto Star became the first horse to regain the blue riband prize when beating his fellow Paul Nicholls inmate 12 months ago.

Next week he bids to join the likes of Arkle and Best Mate as triple Gold Cup winners.

Tricky Trickster and My Will complete a four-strong Nicholls team while there will be plenty of support for Nigel Twiston-Davies’ Imperial Commander, who was only beaten a nose by Kauto Star in the Betfair Chase at Haydock earlier in the season.

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Next week he bids to join the likes of Arkle and Best Mate as triple Gold Cup winners. Denman had Kauto Star back in second place when successful two years ago and needs to bounce back after unseating Tony McCoy at Newbury last month.

Tricky Trickster and My Will complete a four-strong Nicholls team while there will be plenty of support for Nigel Twiston-Davies’ Imperial Commander, who was only beaten a nose by Kauto Star in the Betfair Chase at Haydock earlier in the season.

Last year’s RSA Chase victor Cooldine from Willie Mullins’ stable and Noel Meade’s Casey Jones make up the Irish challenge.  Completing the list are Calgary Bay, Carruthers, Cerium, Grand National winner Mon Mome and Mr Pointment. The horses withdrawn were Albertas Run, Aran Concerto, Madison Du Berlais, Notre Pere, Schindlers Hunt, Taranis and Without A Friend.

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Big Bucks Won The World Hurdle in 2009

Paul Nicholls’ seven-year-old was a brilliant winner of the Grade One contest 12 months ago and has continued in a similar vein this season with two bloodless successes at Newbury. Karabak was second in the latter of those races, the Long Walk Hurdle, and looks set to reoppose at the Festival for Alan King, who also has former champion hurdler Katchit to call upon.

Last year’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle favourite Cousin Vinny looks set to return to the smaller obstacles after a brief stint over fences, while his trainer Willie Mullins has also left in Mourad. Mouse Morris’ 2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero War Of Attrition has been enjoying a fantastic season in Ireland and looks set to return to the scene of his finest hour. Other entries from the Emerald Isle are Ebadiyan, Oscar Dan Dan, Powerstation and Royal And Regal.

Howard Johnson’s recent Cleeve Hurdle winner Tidal Bay is one of the more viable contenders, while Cape Tribulation, Fair Along, Lie Forrit, Sentry Duty and Time For Rupert complete the entries.

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Tony McCoy rides Binocular in Champion Hurdle

Indeed, he had initially been ruled out of the race by Henderson on February 17 after suffering a muscle problem. But following a pleasing schooling session on Wednesday, he came through a gallop on Friday morning with flying colours. The recent Sandown scorer will be ridden by Tony McCoy.

Binocular will add a third string to the Champion Hurdle bow of the Seven Barrows handler, who will also be represented by the Barry Geraghty-ridden Punjabi and Zaynar, the mount of Andrew Tinkler. Binocular could finish only fifth in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle, but showed more promise when third in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton. He then won a three-runner race at Sandown but connections were not happy in the aftermath and he was ruled out of the Festival. Having gone back into training last week, Henderson is now satisfied that he should take his chance.

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Punjabi…

Barry Geraghty has chosen to ride Punjabi in the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle. Nicky Henderson’s stable jockey was aboard the gelding for his victory in the race 12 months ago and has stayed loyal despite having the option of partnering Zaynar.

The trainer confirmed riding plans for his three runners in the race, saying: “Binocular will be ridden by AP (McCoy), Barry (Geraghty) will ride Punjabi and Andrew Tinkler will now ride Zaynar.

“They are all very well and all three are pleasing me.”

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Andrew Tinkler is thrilled to be on Zaynar….

Andrew Tinkler has expressed his delight after picking up the ride on Nicky Henderson’s Zaynar in Tuesday’s Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

The news comes after the Seven Barrows handler was able to firm-up jockey plans for the race following confirmation that last year’s third and stablemate Binocular would take his place in the line-up.

The JP McManus-owned gelding had initially been ruled out of the race on February 17 but following a pleasing schooling session on Wednesday, he came through a Friday gallop with flying colours.

His participation means McManus’ retained jockey Tony McCoy will be aboard Binocular and with Barry Geraghty opting to ride last year’s winner Punjabi, Tinkler will now get the leg up on Zaynar.

“It’s brilliant news and he’s a horse who I obviously had a good win on at Ascot and he goes there with a live chance,” said Tinkler.

“His form is there to see and he’s obviously a Cheltenham winner.

“I think on better ground he’ll come out with a bit more zest and a bit more speed and apparently he’s in good form at home.

“His schooling went well the other morning and he’s a very, very good ride to get.”

Zaynar’s Champion Hurdle credentials took a big knock when he was beaten as the 1-14 favourite at Kelso last time, but Tinkler was keen to praise his conqueror, Quwetwo.

“I think Nicky was glad he went there as he had to be beaten some time and a lot of attention was on Zaynar’s defeat, where as the winner didn’t get the credit he deserved,” Tinkler told At The Races.

“I’ll be watching re-runs of Champion Hurdles and seeing where the best place to be is, but I believe Zaynar is going there in tip-top condition.”

Geraghty admits the decision to side with Punjabi was not an easy one but his recent success at Kempton left the jockey suitably impressed.

Speaking on his blog on www.attheraces.com, Geraghty said: “After a lot of hard thinking, I’m going to stay loyal and ride Punjabi in the Champion Hurdle.

“It was not an easy decision to make because Zaynar is a very talented horse that any jockey would want to ride, but I couldn’t get off the reigning Champion Hurdler when he’s in such good form.

“He’s a horse that’s done it on the big stage and he knows what to expect on the big day.

“But more important still, he just gave me the most unbelievable feel at Kempton, when he really picked up impressively.

“I’m sure he is simply a spring horse and just comes to himself at this time of year, it was just a much better feel at Kempton to the one he gave me the time before at Haydock.

“My decision should not reflect at all on Zaynar as I’m sure he’ll run a big race.

“It is a tribute to the team that Binocular is now back in the picture.

“I got the impression that Nicky was buzzing after he schooled last week.

“It’s great that Nicky and the owners are letting Andrew Tinkler ride Zaynar in the Champion and I really am delighted about that because he deserves the chance on a well-fancied ride in a championship race.

“He gave him a terrific ride when they won at Ascot early in the season.”

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