Big Zeb, who has run well in top company all season, landed a first Grade
One success when winning the Cathal Ryan Memorial Swordlestown Cup Novice
Chase by four lengths from Thyne Again.
The winner was quoted at 20/1 (from 50/1) for next season's Queen Mother
Champion Chase but trainer Colm Murphy believes the seven-year-old will need
to improve to become a contender for the Cheltenham contest.
"He is still a long way off the finished article and although we can dream,
he has to improve," said Murphy. "He'll be put away and we'll see where we
go next year with him - we'll pick a couple of races early in the season and
let him do the talking.
"I'm delighted for the horse because he deserved this win today. I've just
felt he didn't get home every time he has run over two miles and five and I
think two miles in a fast run race suited him today."
Co Antrim trainer Stuart Crawford had his first success under rules when the
mare Oh Jackie captured the Avon Ri Corporate & Leisure Resort Chase for the
La Touche Cup over Punchestown's unique banks course.
"Last week I was happy just to win a point-to-point with her so it doesn't
get any better than this," said Crawford, a leading event rider. "That's my
first winner although I have trained a few successful point-to-pointers. I'm
sure my eventing background stood me in great stead today and Oh Jackie has
evented herself.
"This wasn't just planned a couple of weeks ago - I've been working hard at
it for a while and she would be as good a jumper as I have sat on, and that
would include some good eventers. I backed her today.
"Although she's 10, she's not had a hard campaign and, now she's proven
herself, we'll think along the lines of this race next year and possibly
some of the Cheltenham cross-country contests, although I think this course
might suit her better."
North Yorkshire-based trainer Ferdy Murphy enhanced his excellent record at
the Punchestown Festival when Kalahari King, who finished third in the
Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr on Saturday, made a quick comeback to land
the opening AON Hurdle.
Murphy, who has now had a winner at three of the last four Punchestown
Festivals, said: "It's always nice to get a few euros! The extra half mile
made a big difference to him and Davy said every time he went for him he was
there and he'll be a nice horse for next season.
"After the Supreme at Cheltenham, Tony Dobbin said he'd be an Arkle horse
next year and he's finished for the season now."
Willie Mullins and jockey Ruby Walsh continued an excellent week when
winning the One 51 Handicap Chase with 3/1 favourite Irish Invader.
"Jumping is his forte and I was worried about keeping him a novice for next
season but would have to be happy enough to have won at Fairyhouse and now
here," said Mullins. "He'll keep going over the summer and go to Galway and
the big Festivals."
BAILEY BLAZES TO GLORY
Trainer Alan King sent out his first Punchestown Festival winner when
Blazing Bailey, winner of the Grade Two Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree earlier
this month, came home seven lengths clear in the Grade One Ladbrokes.com
World Series Hurdle under Robert 'Choc' Thornton
"We were obviously worried that it might be a race too many and Choc said
that he was a bit flat but we got away with it. He's one that can take his
racing," said King. "He's never let me down all the way through - there'll
be greater stayers around but he's a pretty good horse himself.
"He's only six and not until he cannot competitive in these races would we
think about jumping fences. ''m not convinced he needs blinkers but we
weren't going to be taking them off today after Liverpool. But they will
come off when he starts out next season.
"There was a lot of pace but he was not seeing much light down the inner and
hit a bit of a flat spot.
"This was a special day and is my first winner at Punchestown. We've been
looked after superbly and rest assured we'll have plenty of runners here
next year."
Thornton added: "I wasn't happy from about four out, the ground rode slower
than I thought - it was nearly soft. I didn't think I'd win until I got out
going to the last, I was slightly boxed in and in trouble early on.
"His stamina kicked into gear as much as anything and he's a very hardy
horse who takes his races well. There's no stopping him when he gets in
front."
Blazing Bailey was quoted at 6/1 from 8/1 with Ladbrokes for next year's
Ladbrokes World
Hurdle at Cheltenham after the victory.
David Williams of Ladbrokes said: "Blazing Bailey confirmed himself to be
one of the gutsiest and classiest staying horses in training. His was an
awesome win and punters have been royally rewarded by backing Alan King's
superstar."
Last year's winner Refinement finished a good second and her trainer Jonjo
O'Neill said: "She has run a blinder and AP thought she has run her
best-ever race. She could have done with them going a bit faster and is a
great mare. She'll go to the Queen Alexandra at Royal Ascot next and we will
keep her going next season."
Hidden Agenda, trained by Arthur Moore and ridden by Philip Carberry, took
the Real Estate Alliance Handicap Hurdle by a length.
CROWD
Today's attendance was 17,240.
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