Macs Joy, who was beaten a length by Brave Inca in last month's Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, turned the tables on his old rival under an enterprising ride from Barry Geraghty when landing the Grade 1 ACC Bank Champion Hurdle by four lengths.
Geraghty kicked for home after three out and trainer Jessica Harrington felt the new tactic helped her charge.
"We got him at last!" said Harrington. "I don't know whether it was the ground for Brave Inca or that they didn't go quick enough which suited us but Barry had said beforehand that he was going to take them on at the second last. I think it paid off that he went on much earlier than ever before.
"He's been thereabouts all year and really deserved it and it's nice to win here although we'll have to try again at Cheltenham next year. It won't be easy, we'll have Brave Inca and Hardy Eustace to beat again, and maybe he's a better horse here.
"If he'd only been third or fourth at Cheltenham we would have probably sent him chasing but he ran the race of his life there when he was second so he'll carry on hurdling - he's entitled to another go at Cheltenham. He came here a fresh horse today and did what I hoped he would do. He jumped brilliantly and loved the ground."
Geraghty added: "We got there at the third last far earlier than the others and myself anticipated. It was a good a run from the runner-up in the Champion Hurdle as we've seen for a while but my horse deserved it - he's been knocking on the door."
Colm Murphy, trainer of Brave Inca, said: "Tony (McCoy) said he was never travelling but he was staying on towards the finish and all credit to Macs Joy. He'll go out to grass now and without a doubt the Champion Hurdle will be the aim again next year - a stiff two miles is what he wanted."
A barren week for the British visitors came to an end when Olney Lad, trained in Buckinghamshire by Renee Robeson, sprang a 25/1 surprise in the betfair.com Novice Handicap Chase.
"I was worried by the ground beforehand but in a funny way he actually did it better today," said Robeson when interviewed by her godson Robert Hall on RTE television. "Everything went well except for one dickie moment and he let me down at Aintree without the blinkers so they were back on today."
Howaya Pet, winner of the Ellen Construction Conyngham Cup, could have run her last run. "She's in foal to Beneficial and probably finished now. She'll be a valuable broodmare" said trainer Gerry Keane.
CHASING NEXT FOR IMPRESSIVE NICANOR
Last month's Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle hero Nicanor rewarded backers who had supported him into 9/10 favouritism with a one-length triumph in the Grade 1 Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa Champion Novice Hurdle.
The winner earned a 14/1 quote from Cashmans for next year's Irish Independent Arkle Chase and trainer Noel Meade admitted he is considering the shorter Cheltenham race as a more likely target than the Royal & SunAlliance Chase in March.
"Ruby said that if he had just sat there he would never have gone off the bridle," said Meade. "He said the horse gave him a fantastic feel. I was worried about the ground because you can't take chances with a horse like this.
"Chasing has been the plan all along and I've always viewed him as a Gold Cup horse one day. We'd always thought the Royal & SunAlliance Chase would be his target but now maybe I 'm thinking he might be more of an Arkle horse because he showed a lot of speed."
Tony McCoy gained his first success of the week when Kinger Rocks, trained by Dermot Weld, captured the Flogas Ireland Novice Hurdle.
"She jumped well, travelled well and there was a good even pace," said McCoy. "She's a mare to look forward to and she should win plenty more."
85,087 CROWD FOR WEEK
Today's crowd at Punchestown was 29,254, up from 25,092 in 2005. The total attendance at the four-day Festival was 85,087.
REMINDER FROM GOODWOOD RACECOURSE - ENTRY FEES TO BE REFUNDED FOR LISTED RACES THIS SEASON
Connections are reminded that entry fees for Listed races at Goodwood this season, outside of the Festival Meeting, will once again be refunded for all horses that come under Starter's Orders.
The first three races to which this concession applies, all take place at Goodwood's first fixture of 2006 on Saturday, May 6 - the £35,000 32Red.com Lupe Stakes, the £35,000 Letheby & Christopher Predominate Stakes and the £30,000 European Breeders Fund Fillies' & Mares' Conqueror Stakes.
Entries for all of the above three races close at 12 noon on Monday, May 1, and as stated previously, entry fees will be refunded for ALL horses entered who subsequently come under Starter's Orders.
Rod Fabricius, Goodwood's Managing Director and Clerk of the Course, commented: "Goodwood is delighted to be offering this concession once again for the 2006 season - the third year we have done so.
"We are giving connections every possible encouragement to run their horses in Listed races at the racecourse and we look forward to welcoming fields high in terms of both quality and quantity."
HARRINGTON SEEKING SECOND BETFRED SWINTON HANDICAP HURDLE
Jessica Harrington, who landed the Grade Three Betfred Swinton Handicap Hurdle with Irish raider Mac's Joy two years ago, has another classy contender for this year's £75,000 contest to be run at Haydock Park on Saturday, May 6, in the shape of Callow Lake.
The County Kildare trainer reported: "Callow Lake is in great form, I'm delighted with him. He's definitely going to Haydock, provided the ground is good. I don't mind if it's fast but as long as it's not heavy."
Callow Lake, a smart dual-purpose performer, was a good second to Wishwillow Lord in the highly-competitive Menolly Homes Handicap Hurdle over two miles at Fairyhouse on April 18. That was the six-year-old's first start over hurdles since running a fine third behind More Rainbows and Tiger Cry in the prestigious Guinness Galway Hurdle in July.
Harrington commented: "This horse has been second and third in practically every good handicap hurdle in Ireland.
"He's a summer horse so he'll go to the Betfred Swinton Handicap Hurdle and then he'll probably run in the Ulster Harp Derby on the Flat, which he was second in last year, before going to the Galway Hurdle."
Callow Lake will bid to become the fourth Irish-trained horse to capture the two-mile Betfred Swinton Handicap Hurdle. The Arthur Moore-trained Bitofabanter was successful in 1992, followed by She's Our Mare for Tony Martin in 1999, and this season's Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle runner-up Mac's Joy took the prize in 2004.
Somerset trainer Philip Hobbs reports that Grade Two Sottish Champion Hurdle winner Noble Request and smart novice Motorway, a four-time winner this season, are being considered for the race.
He said: "It's a possibility that Noble Request or Motorway could run but they're in at Sandown this weekend, so we'll see what happens there first."
Betfred Swinton Handicap Hurdle day marks the beginning of a new and exciting partnership between Haydock Park and Betfred, the world's largest independent bookmaker, which is sponsoring the entire card.
The seven-race card, including the Listed £30,000 Betfred Spring Trophy over seven furlongs on the Flat, carries total prize money of £173,500, an increase of £6,000 on 2005.
Betfred has also increased by 33 per cent the prize fund for the Group One Haydock Sprint Cup, to be run on Saturday, September 2, which is now worth a record £300,000.
The partnership sees the bookmaking chain take over the management of the Haydock Park racecourse betting shop, which Betfred boss Fred Done will officially open on Betfred Swinton Handicap Hurdle day, Saturday, May 6.
HAYDOCK PARK'S GREAT CARD ON SATURDAY, MAY 6, 2006
Racing on Saturday, May 6, kicks off with the £27,500-added betfredpoker.com LONG DISTANCE HANDICAP HURDLE (1.25pm) for four-year-olds and upwards over an extended two miles and seven and a half furlongs. This excellent race was won by the Martin Pipe-trained Mr Cool in 2005, while previous winners include Persian Waters (2003), Surprising (2002) and Crazy Horse (2001).
Aside from the feature race the BETFRED SWINTON HANDICAP HURDLE (1.55pm), the the other five contests on the May 6, card are on the Flat, with the principal event being the seven-furlong Listed £30,000 BETFRED MILLION SPRING TROPHY STAKES (2.25pm), for three-year-olds and upwards who have not won a Group One or Two race after 2004. Tom Tate saddled Welsh Emperor for victory 12 months ago.
Always popular is the £8,500 betfredcasino.com FLAT V JUMP JOCKEYS HANDICAP (3.00pm), for four-year-olds and upwards rated 0-70 over a mile.
This event will feature six top jump jockeys competing against six high-profile Flat riders, with two horse reserves waiting in the wings to ensure that each team has six contestants.
The team element will be emphasised by the jockeys wearing distinguishing caps to identify which squad they represent.
The £17,500-added BETFRED MILLION CONDITIONS STAKES (3.35pm) is run over six furlongs for three-year-olds and upwards who have not won a Pattern race after May 5, 2005. Look Here's Carol was the winning horse last year, under jockey Willie Supple.
The seven-race programme on Saturday, May 6, is completed by the £10,000-added BETFRED "THE BONUS KING" HANDICAP (4.10pm), over six furlongs and the £5,000-added betfredpoker.com MAIDEN STAKES (4.40pm) over an extended 10 furlongs.
ORDER OF RUNNING
Time Race Distance Prize Money
1.25pm The betfredpoker.com Long Distance Handicap Hurdle 2m 7 1/2f £27,500
1.55pm The BETFRED SWINTON HANDICAP HURDLE (Grade 3) 2m £75,000
2.25pm The Betfred Million Spring Trophy Stakes (Listed) 7f £30,000
3.00pm The Betfred Casino Flat v Jump Jockeys Handicap 1m £8,500
3.35pm The Betfred Million Conditions Stakes 6f £17,500
4.10pm The Betfred The Bonus King' Handicap 6f £10,000
4.40pm The Betfredpoker.com Maiden Stakes 1m 2f 120yds £5,000
TOTAL £173,500
Please note that Haydock Park also stages an evening fixture on the Flat this Saturday, April 29, with the first race at 5.45pm.
For further information, please contact Adam Waterworth, Haydock Park's Managing Director, on 01942 725963, or visit www.haydock-park.co.uk
BETFRED SWINTON HANDICAP HURDLE HISTORY
This year sees the 28th running of the Betfred SwintonHandicap Hurdle, the first big race of the new 2006/2007 jump season which commences on April 30.
Always a very competitive handicap which usually attracts a large field, the Betfred Swinton Handicap Hurdle carries prize money of £75,000. Previous winners have gone on to be leading performers at the very highest level.
Fred Rimell sent out Royal Gaye to land the inaugural running in 1978, and the following year's Betfred Swinton Handicap Hurdle went to the Bob Turnell-trained Beacon Light, who earlier in 1979 had been third to Monksfield and Sea Pigeon in the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. The same combination of owner Jim Joel, trainer Bob Turnell and jockey Andy Turnell teamed up again for victory with Secret Ballot in 1982.
Rimell gained his second victory in the space of four years when Gaye Chance entered the winner's enclosure in 1981. Three years later, after Mercy Rimell had taken over the reins from her late husband, Gaye Chance won at the Cheltenham Festival, taking the Stayers' Hurdle by one and a half lengths from Goldspun while his full-brother Gaye Brief captured the 1983 Champion Hurdle.
The 1984 Haydock Park winner Bajan Sunshine was a versatile performer over hurdles and on the Flat. In addition to winning the Betfred Swinton Handicap Hurdle, he was successful in one of the 1983 Flat season's major handicaps, the Cesarewitch at Newmarket.
Champion jump trainer Martin Pipe had the first of his three successes with Corporal Clinger in 1985. The master of Nicholashayne also struck with Tragic Hero in 1996 and Rainbow Frontier two seasons later.
Inlander landed a famous win for the "handicap king" Reg Akehurst in 1987, while Past Glories, the first of two successive winners for trainer Bill Elsey, in 1988 followed by State Jester in 1989, was another Betfred Swinton Handicap Hurdle winner to be subsequently placed in the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle. He was only beaten three and three-quarter lengths into third by Kribensis, despite his 150/1 starting price in the 1990 Cheltenham showpiece.
In 1991 the father/son partnership of Ken and David Bridgwater teamed up for success with the mare Winnie The Witch, who had landed the County Hurdle at Cheltenham earlier in the year.
More recently, Irish trainer Tony Martin launched one of his famous raids on major British prizes when She's Our Mare was successful in 1999.
Just over two months later Martin returned with She's Our Mare to the Lancashire course for one of Haydock's best Flat events, the Old Newton Cup - she came third to Celestial Welcome. Later that year the daughter of Commanche Run captured another of Britain's major Flat handicaps, the Cambridgeshire at Newmarket.
Four years ago Intersky Falcon was successful in the Betfred Swinton Handicap Hurdle for trainer Jonjo O'Neill, who also won the Haydock hurdle as a jockey on the Peter Easterby-trained No Bombs in 1980.
Intersky Falcon has gone on to win a number of top prizes including two Grade One Christmas Hurdles at Kempton and also came third to Hardy Eustace in the 2004 Smurfit Champion Hurdle.
The 2003 renewal was won by the Richard Fahey-trained Altay, who was given a brilliant ride by conditional jockey Padgh Whelan to master Patsy Veale by half a length in a tremendous finish.
Macs Joy became the third Irish winner, coming home two and a half lengths clear of Dancing Bay to justify favouritism in 2004. The Jessica Harrington-trained gelding went on to win the Grade One AIG Europe Champion Hurdle in 2005 and was runner-up to Brave Inca in this season's Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle.
The Howard Johnson-trained Coat Of Honour scored his fourth success from five hurdles starts when taking the Betfred Swinton Handicap Hurdle last year under Graham Lee, before embarking on a novice chase campaign.
BETFRED SWINTON HANDICAP HURDLE ROLL OF HONOUR
YEAR HORSE AGE/WGT OWNER TRAINER JOCKEY SP RAN
2005 Coat Of Honour 5 10-0 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson Graham Lee 6/1 11
2004 Macs Joy 5-10-0 Mac's J Racing Syndicate Jessica Harrington IRE Timmy Murphy 4/1F 19
2003 Altay 6-9-11 R M Jeffs & J Potter Richard Fahey Padgh Whelan 13/2 14
2002 Intersky Falcon 5-11-10 Interskyracing.com and Jacqui O'Neill Jonjo O'Neill Liam Cooper 11/2 11
2001 Milligan 6-11-4 George Leatham Venetia Williams Norman Williamson10/1 23
2000 Mirjan 4-10-6 Miss S Blumberg Len Lungo Tony Dobbin 7/1 22
1999 She's Our Mare 5-11-8 Denise Reddan Tony Martin IRE David Casey 10/1 22
1998 Rainbow Frontier4-10-0 Clive Smith Martin Pipe Charlie Swan 10/1 16
1997 Dreams End 9-11-11 T. G. Price Peter Bowen Leighton Aspell 14/1 19
1996 Tragic Hero 4-10-9 Knight Hawks Partnership Martin Pipe David Bridgwater 9/1 19
1995 Chief Minister 6-11-6 Graham Shiel Tom Dyer Peter Hobbs 16/1 13
1994 Dreams End 6-11-4 T. G Price Philip Hobbs Michael Hourigan 10/1 18
1993 Spinning 6-11-0 Paul Mellon Ian Balding Jimmy Frost 3/1 17
1992 Bitofabanter 5-11-1 Mrs. I Loughlane Arthur Moore IRE Tom Taaffe 14/1 22
1991 Winnie The Witch7-10-2Paddocks Thoroughbred Racing Ltd Ken Bridgwater David Bridgwater 8/1 12
1990 Sybillin 4-10-1 Marquesa de Moratalla Jimmy Fitzgerald Derek Byrne 8/1 14
1989 State Jester 6-10-0 Eric Barber Bill Elsey John Quinn 14/1 18
1988 Past Glories 5-11-9 Noel Hetherton Bill Elsey Paddy Farrell 16/1 23
1987 Inlander 6-10-8 Jeff Daniels Reg Akehurst Steve Smith Eccles4/1 8
1986 Prideaux Boy 8-11-2 Graham Roach Graham Roach Martin Bowlby 15/2 20
1985 Corporal Clinger6-10-3 Jay Dee Racing LTD Martin Pipe Paul Leach 11/2 21
1984 Bajan Sunshine 5-10-13 Paul Green Martin Tate Peter Scudamore6/1 15
1983 Abandoned due to water logged ground
1982 Secret Ballot 8-10-3 Jim Joel Bob Turnell Andy Turnell 10/1 17
1981 Gaye Chance 6-10-10 Mrs. M Curtis Fred Rimell Sam Morshead 13/2 18
1980 No Bombs 5-10-9 Snailwell Stud Co Ltd Peter Easterby Jonjo O'Neill 7/1 14
1979 Beacon Light 8-11-1 Jim Joel Bob Turnell Andy Turnell 12/1 17
1978 Royal Gaye 5-10-0 Sir John Hanmer Fred Rimell Colin Tinkler 20/1 20
RACEGOERS GET THE CHANCE TO GO BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE 'HOME OF HORSERACING'
William Haggas's stables (Saturday, May 6) and Rossdale's state-of-the-art equine hospital (Sunday, May 7) are confirmed as the venues for Newmarket's inaugural "Home of Horseracing" visits before racing at the Stan James Guineas Festival next weekend.
Tickets, which cost £5, must be purchased in advance by calling the racecourse on 01638 675 500. The price includes a coach transfer from the NatWest Rowley Mile plus the return coach after the 45 minute tour. Each tour is limited to 50 people on a first come, first served basis. Saturday's leaves the NatWest Rowley Mile at 11.10am, while Sunday's departs at 11am.
"This is a unique opportunity to go behind the scenes at two fascinating destinations at the historic Home of Horseracing," said Lisa Hancock, Newmarket's Managing Director.
"William Haggas's stables, from where Shaamit was trained to win the 1996 Vodafone Derby, and Rossdale's equine veterinary hospital are two venues that the public would normally never get to see."
10% ADVANCE BOOKING DISCOUNT AVAILABLE ON-LINE
A 10% advance booking discount for Day Members' badges and Grandstand & Paddock tickets will be available on-line until 48 hours before next weekend's Stan James Guineas Festival. Visit www.newmarketracecourses.co.uk or call the booking hotline (no discounts available) on 01638 675 500. Limited hospitality packages for Sunday, May 7, are also available.
STAN JAMES GUINEAS FESTIVAL FORUM CANCELLED
The Stan James Guineas Festival Forum which was due to have taken place at Swynford Paddocks Hotel on the evening of Tuesday, May 2, in aid of the Racing Welfare Samaritan Partnership has been cancelled as insufficient tickets were sold.
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