- NAIAD DU MISSELOT AND COOL OPERATOR ALSO CONFIRMED
Trainer Willie Mullins today declared the Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle hero Fiveforthree on course for the Irish National Hunt Festival at Punchestown with the likely target being the two and a half mile Grade 1 Land Rover Champion Novice Hurdle on Friday, April 25.
The six-year-old, who is unbeaten in two starts over hurdles, is one of 64 entries for the 110,000 euros race revealed today.
“Fiveforthree will go to Punchestown,” said Mullins. “He’s entered in the vcbet.com Champion Novice Hurdle, the Ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle and the Land Rover Champion Novice Hurdle, but the latter, over two and a half miles, would probably be the most likely one for him at the moment. He ran well there last year and I’m looking forward to seeing him run again.
“He moves like a real good ground horse, however, his wins are on soft ground so I don’t know. His pedigree suggests soft ground but to see him move, he looks like a good ground horse. He hasn’t won on good, though he was third in a bumper on it.
“I’m delighted how well all of the horses have come out of Cheltenham. I think the watering of the ground at Cheltenham made a huge difference to how horses have come out of it.”
Among the other entries is the appropriately named Punchestowns, who was a winner in France before joining Nicky Henderson this season.
The five-year-old, who is owned by Lynn Wilson, has won both his hurdling starts for Henderson and could run at either Fontwell or Towcester on Thursday as a warm-up to the Irish National Hunt Festival.
“Punchestowns is a very likely runner at Punchestown,” revealed Henderson. “He’s been very good since he came to me and we’re planning on getting another run into him, this week possibly. He might well come over for the Land Rover Champion Novice Hurdle.”
Others among a star-studded entry for the 110,000 euros race include the Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle second Venalmar and the first three home from the Grade 2 Mersey Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree last week - the Paul Nicholls-trained winner Elusive Dream, runner-up Whiteoak, who had previously won the Grade 2 David Nicholson Mares Hurdle at Cheltenham, and third-placed Franchoek, runner-up in the Grade 1 JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham.
There are 37 entered in the two-mile Grade 1 vcbet.com Champion Novice Hurdle on Tuesday, April 22, including the Noel Meade-trained Jered, an easy winner of his last two starts.
The Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner Captain Cee Bee, who pulled up at Aintree last week, Tranquil Sea, a winner at Limerick yesterday (Sunday) and the Jessica Harrington-trained Cork All Star are among others entered in the 110,000 euros event.
Trainer Howard Johnson, a regular supporter of the Punchestown Festival, intends to send impressive Catterick novice hurdle winner Cool Operator to the vcbet.com Champion Novice Hurdle.
“I’m planning to take Cool Operator to Punchestown,” said Johnson. “I made a mistake with this horse earlier in the season by running him on soft ground because he actually needs good ground. I definitely want to win a race with him before the end of the season and Punchestown is on the agenda.”
NAIAD DU MISSELOT AMONG 127 IN BALLYMORE
This year’s Punchestown Festival will be held over five days for the first time with the highlight of the Festival’s new final day, Saturday, April 26, set to be the 220,000 euros Ballymore 25th Anniversary Hurdle, a handicap over two and a half miles.
The big prize has caught the imagination of trainers with a huge 127-strong entry revealed today, including 15 trained in Britain and one from France.
There could be a clash of Cheltenham Festival winners with Vincent O’Brien County Handicap scorer Silver Jaro, Coral Cup hero Naiad Du Misselot and Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase victor Tiger Cry among those engaged.
Trainer Ferdy Murphy today revealed the Naiad Du Misselot will bid for the valuable prize.
“We will probably end up having a team of around eight running at Punchestown this year and Naiad Du Misselot goes for the Ballymore 25th Anniversary Hurdle on the Saturday,” said Murphy.
“He did it well at Cheltenham and has come out of the race in good form. He goes on good ground - he’s better on soft ground but the others would be inconvenienced by that. He’s a good horse and will definitely go to Punchestown.”
Saturday’s Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle fourth Kalderon, Mister Top Notch, an early faller when favourite for a handicap at Aintree on Friday, the Tony-Martin trained Cesarewitch winner Leg Spinner, Pierse Hurdle hero Barker and the Noel Meade-trained Hotel Hilamar - who has not run since winning a maiden hurdle in November, 2006 - are among a hugely competitive entry for the Ballymore 25th Anniversary Hurdle.
Entries are also revealed today for the Grade 1 Ellier Developments Hanover Reach Champion Novice Chase, run on Tuesday, April 22, with 26 possibles for three mile and one furlong contest.
The Charlie Mann-trained Air Force One, who gained a confidence booster when scoring by 133 lengths at Market Rasen yesterday (Sunday), is on course for the race while Pomme Tiepy, a faller in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at Cheltenham, could represent trainer Willie Mullins.
Finger Onthe Pulse, winner of the Jewson Novices’ Handicap Chase at Cheltenham, could bid for the 110,000 euros prize, in which Royal & SunAlliance Chase first and second, Albertas Run and Roll Along, are others engaged.
The 2008 Irish National Hunt Festival, running from Tuesday, April 22, to Saturday, April 26, has record prize money of 2,955,000 euros.
Entries for the Grade 1 Kerrygold Champion Chase, Grade 1 Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup and Grade 1 Cathal Ryan Memorial Swordlestown Cup Novice Chase will be revealed tomorrow (Tuesday).
Entries for the Grade 1 ACCBank Champion Hurdle, Grade 1 Ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle, Grade 1 Eventus Marquees Champion Four-Year-Old Hurdle and €110,000 Betfair.com Novice Handicap Chase will be announced on Wednesday.
For further information, please contact Janet Williamson, PR Manager at Punchestown Racecourse, on + 353 (0) 45 897704, or e-mail jwilliamson@punchestown.com
The vcbet.com Champion Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)
3.05pm, Tuesday, April 22, 2008, €110,000, 2m, 5yo+
Captain Cee Bee (E P Harty)
Chantaco (USA) (N J Henderson GB)
Cool Operator (GB) (J H Johnson GB)
Copsiano (M F Morris)
Cork All Star (Mrs J Harrington)
Dariak (FR) (T Foley)
Decoy Daddy (A Mullins)
Fantoche (BRZ) (Mrs J Harrington)
Fiveforthree (W P Mullins)
Golden Grace (GB) (M J P O'Brien)
Greenbridge (A King GB)
Group Captain (GB) (A King GB)
I'msingingtheblues (Paul Nicholls GB)
Jered (N Meade)
Kalahari King (FR) (F Murphy GB)
Khyber Kim (GB) (N J Henderson GB)
Made In Taipan (T Mullins)
Marseillais (FR) (E J O'Grady)
Megans Joy (Colm Murphy)
Migmatite (USA) (J E Kiely)
Mr Muji (N Meade)
Ninetieth Minute (T J Taaffe)
Norther Bay (FR) (E Griffin)
Oh Crick (FR) (A King GB)
Playing (FR) (T Foley)
Quinmaster (USA) (M Halford)
Rinroe (N Meade)
Salford City (G Elliott)
Save The Bacon (A J Martin)
Schindler's Gold (T J Taaffe)
Shady Willow (W P Mullins)
Shirley Casper (E J O'Grady)
South West One (USA) (N Meade)
Spitfire Sortie (J McAuley)
Storm Plan (W J Austin)
Tranquil Sea (E J O'Grady)
Woodbine Willie (P Fenton)
Air Force One (GER) (Charlie Mann GB)
Albertas Run (J O'Neill GB)
Ambobo (USA) (M Brassil)
Ballycullen Boy (Mrs M Danagher)
Beantown (S Aherne)
Big Zeb (Colm Murphy)
Casey Jones (N Meade)
Drunken Disorderly (Cahrlie Swan)
Finger Onthe Pulse (T J Taaffe)
Forest Leaves (E J O'Grady)
Freds Benefit (W P Mullins)
J'y Vole (FR) (W P Mullins)
Narrackses (P O Brady)
Notre Pere (FR) (J T R Dreaper)
Optimus Prime (A Maguire)
Ornais (FR) (Paul Nicholls GB)
Oscar Honey (Mrs J Harrington)
Pomme Tiepy (FR) (W P Mullins)
Roll Along (Carl Llewellyn GB)
Scotsirish (W P Mullins)
Secretofshambhala (T Mullins)
Sizing Australia (H de Bromhead)
Sky's The Limit (FR) (E J O'Grady)
Star Player (Chris Grant GB)
Well Run (N Meade)
Whataboutya (N Meade)
26 entries
Land Rover Champion Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)
4.55pm, Friday, April 25, 2008, €110,000, 2m 4f, 4yo+
Arklow Ger (P Nolan)
Ballytrim (Willie Mullins)
C'est Ca (GB) (Willie Mullins)
Cooldine (Willie Mullins)
Copsiano (M F Morris)
Cru (Willie Mullins)
Dani California (GB) (Willie Mullins)
Dariak (FR) (T Foley)
Decoy Daddy (A Mullins)
Diamond Frontier (J H Johnson GB)
Drumconvis (A J Martin)
Elusive Dream (GB) (P F Nicholls GB)
Emergency Response (E McNamara)
Equus Maximus (Willie Mullins)
Faltering Fullback (GB) (E McNamara)
Field Commander (M Hourigan)
Fiveforthree (Willie Mullins)
Franchoek (A King GB)
Golden Grace (GB) (M J P O'Brien)
Group Captain (GB) (A King GB)
Home Hunter (O McKiernan)
Hurricane Fly (Willie Mullins)
Jack The Bus (P Casey)
Jaunty Flight (GB) (O Sherwood GB)
Junior (GB) (A King GB)
Leg Spinner (A J Martin)
Let Yourself Go (A Maguire)
Liskennett (Charles Byrnes)
Made In Taipan (T Mullins)
Majestic Concorde (D K Weld)
Marseillais (FR) (E J O'Grady)
Mourne Rambler (A J Martin)
Mr Muji (N Meade)
Mullach Na Si (GB) (Willie Mullins)
Mustangsallyrally (T Mullins)
Narquois (FR) (N Meade)
Ninetieth Minute (T J Taaffe)
Old Si (D T Hughes)
Oscar Time (M M Lynch)
Parsons Pistol (N Meade)
Peplum (FR) (E J O'Grady)
Personal Column (GB) (Mrs J Harrington)
Playing (FR) (T Foley)
Punchestowns (FR) (N J Henderson GB)
Quevega (FR) (Willie Mullins)
Rare Bob (D T Hughes)
Rinroe (N Meade)
Rosy Cyborg (FR) (Willie Mullins)
Schindler's Gold (T J Taaffe)
Serpentaria (GB) (Willie Mullins)
Shady Willow (Willie Mullins)
Shakervilz (FR) (Willie Mullins)
Shirley Casper (E J O'Grady)
Sigma Digital (GB) (N Meade)
Souffleur (GB) (P Bowen GB)
Temlett (Willie Mullins)
Trafford Lad (GB) (E Sheehy)
Tranquil Sea (E J O'Grady)
Uncle Junior (Willie Mullins)
Venalmar (GB) (M F Morris)
Vintox (GER) (N Meade)
Whispering Death (GB) (J H Johnson GB)
Whiteoak (D McCain Jnr GB)
Woodbine Willie (P Fenton)
Acorn Hollow (J Crowley)
Air Of Confusion (GB) (I Madden)
Ardalan (P Nolan)
Bahrain Storm (P J Flynn)
Ballytrim (Willie Mullins)
Barker (J M Barrett)
Barrow Drive (GB) (A Mullins)
Bishop's Bridge (Miss E C Lavelle GB)
Boulavogue (Charlie Swan)
Brave Right (LWhitmore)
Calorando (A Mullins)
Candy Girl (Willie Mullins)
Carrick Oscar (Carl Llewellyn GB)
Charlies First (P Casey)
Clarnazar (Noel Meade)
Clear Riposte (Willie Mullins)
Cler (Willie Mullins)
Clew Bay Lodge (Colm Murphy)
Clounreask (E McNamara)
Cru (Willie Mullins)
Dancing Hero (T Foley)
Dancing Tornado (M Hourigan)
Dani California (GB) (Willie Mullins)
Dariak (FR) (T Foley)
Davorin (JPN) (M Halford)
De La Rue (USA) (Charles Byrnes)
Decoy Daddy (A Mullins)
Definate Spectacle (Noel Meade)
Derrykeel (Ms F M Crowley)
Deutschland (USA) (Willie Mullins)
Drumconvis (A J Martin)
Emma Jane (Willie Mullins)
Euro Leader (Willie Mullins)
Faltering Fullback (GB) (E McNamara)
Fiery Lord (P Nolan)
Foreman (GER) (Charlie Swan)
Forest Green (FR) (Paul Nicholls GB)
Franc Villez (FR) (Mrs J Harrington)
Garryowen Star (Charlie Swan)
Ginko Biloba (FR) (F M Cottin FR)
Golden Empire (FR) (A Heffernan)
Good Fella (P Mooney)
Gripit N Tipit (Charlie Swan)
Gurrun (GB) (E Griffin)
Handfull Of Euros (W J Austin)
Hearthstead Dream (GB) (G Elliott)
Heavenly Blues (GER) (T M Walsh)
Here Comes Sally (P M Pierce)
Hollywood Law (D M Leigh)
Home Hunter (O McKiernan)
Hot Port (E McNamara)
Hotel Hilamar (Noel Meade)
Jaamid (GB) (Noel Meade)
Jayo (FR) (Willie Mullins)
Junior (GB) (A King GB)
Kalderon (GER) (T Hogan)
Kilbeggan Lad (A Mullins)
Kingscape (J R Fanshawe GB)
Knight Legend (Mrs J Harrington)
Knock On The Head (J Crowley)
Leg Spinner (A J Martin)
Lounaos (FR) (E Griffin)
Lyceum (GER) (D T Hughes)
Majestic Concorde (D K Weld)
Major Sensation (A L T Moore)
Marseillais (FR) (E J O'Grady)
Masamiyr (M Halford)
McGruders Cross (J L Spearing GB)
Merchent Paddy (Charles Byrnes)
Mirpour (E Griffin)
Mister Top Notch (D E Fitzgerald)
Monty Mint (T Foley)
Moskova (P Nolan)
Motaraqeb (GB) (J G Carr)
Mourne Rambler (A J Martin)
Mudslinger (P Nolan)
Mullach Na Si (GB) (Willie Mullins)
Mustangsallyrally (T Mullins)
My Petra (GB) (N J Henderson GB)
My Turn Now (Charlie Mann GB)
Naiad Du Misselot (FR) (F Murphy GB)
Narquois (FR) (Noel Meade)
Newton Bridge (G Elliott)
Ninetieth Minute (T J Taaffe)
Northern Alliance (A J Martin)
Novel Investment (J Brassil)
Offaly (Noel Meade)
Orbit O'Gold (USA) (Noel Meade)
Oscar Time (M M Lynch)
Pacolet (P J Flynn)
Paramount (FR) (T M Walsh)
Peplum (FR) (E J O'Grady)
Quevega (FR) (Willie Mullins)
Rare Bob (D T Hughes)
Raven's Run (M Cunningham)
Ring The Boss (P J Hobbs GB)
Rossbeigh (P Hughes)
Russian Around (N J Gifford GB)
Schindler's Gold (T J Taaffe)
Scholars Mate (Colm Murphy)
Sentry Duty (FR) (N J Henderson GB)
Share Option (GB) (Willie Mullins)
Silent Creek (Christy Roche)
Silver Jaro (FR) (T Hogan)
Silver Palm (Miss E Doyle)
Sirius Storm (P Nolan)
Sizing Africa (H de Bromhead)
Son Of Oscar (P Fenton)
Song Of Songs (GB) (J R Fanshawe GB)
Sonnium (Willie Mullins)
Spaceman (GB) (M Hourigan)
Spring The Que (Robert Tyner)
Streets Of Gold (Christy Roche)
Supreme Being (G Cromwell)
Taradoun (J M Barrett)
Temlett (Willie Mullins)
The Spoonplayer (H de Bromhead)
Tiger Cry (A L T Moore)
Total Victory (Colm Murphy)
Tranquil Sea (E J O'Grady)
Trouble At Bay (A King GB)
Vaqueras (FR) (Mrs J Harrington)
Viso (FR) (Willie Mullins)
Wheresben (S Fahey)
Window Of Hope (T J Taaffe)
Yes Sir (P Bowen GB)
Your Sum Man (A Mullins)
127 entries
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