The 2011 Punchestown Festival came to an end on Saturday and overall it was a great success for trainers, jockeys and punters alike. Enjoy the following review of the festival with Jason Ryan
Day 1: The Boylesports.com Champion S’chase (Grade 1) over 2 miles was the feature on day one. The first four home in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival locked horns once again and it was Colm Murphy’s Big Zeb who prevailed in an epic battle with Sizing Europe. Colm Murphy went on to complete a Grade 1 double when his Quito De La Roque (4/1) outstayed his rivals in the Grade One Growise Champion Novice Chase. Bruree based trainer Enda Bolger won the opening Kildare Hunt Club Fr Sean Breen Memorial Chase over the banks course for Limerick owner J.P. McManus. Their horse Outlaw Pete won a drama packed race under Croom native J.T. McNamara. McManus made it two on the day when his Shot From The Hip (11/2) who took the Evening Herald Champion Novice Hurdle (Grade One) in impressive style in the hands of Tony McCoy. The other three races were won by Johnny Mcgeeney (10/1), Texas Jack (14/1) and King Vuvuzela 25/1 respectively.
Day 2: All eyes were on the Paul Nicholls trained Kauto Star in the Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup. The two time Cheltenham Gold cup winner, however, put in a very lacklustre display in a race that went to Irish trained Follow the Plan (20/1). Croom native Robbie McNamara was just edged out in the betchronicle.com Champion INH Flat Race on the J.P. McManus owned Waaheb. The market leader was beaten by Willie Mullins’ Lovethehigherlaw (8/1) in a thrilling finish. Mullins completed a double when his veteran chaser Scotsirish (7/1) took the valuable Guinness Handicap Chase, albeit luckily, under Ruby Walsh. The opening race went to the John Kiely trained Oneeightofamile (12/1), while the other races on the card were won by Street Entertainer (11/4), Askanna (33/1) and Golanbrook (25/1) respectively.
Day 3: The highlight of day three was undoubtedly Quevega’s (8/11f) performance in the Ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle. The mare, fresh from her historic performance at Cheltenham, reclaimed the champion stayers hurdle in tremendous style. Travelling well throughout, her only scare was at the last hurdle, but even that wasn’t enough to stop her. Kerb Appeal (14/1) made it a double on the day for Willie Mullins in the Naas Court Hotel Handicap Hurdle. While Philip Hobbs’ Captain Chris (4/6f) proved he is the best two mile novice chaser around by winning the Ryanair Novice Chase. Other winners on the day were, Dr Whizz (7/2jf), Tornado Shay (16/1), Another Jewel (10/3j2f) and Burn and Turn (13/2).
Day 4: Hurricane Fly (1/2f) stole the show on day four with a breath-taking performance in the Rabobank Champion Hurdle. He blew away a high class field with the minimum of fuss and cemented his place as the best hurdler around. So Young was well fancied to make it a double for Willie Mullins but outsider Spirit of Adjisa (16/1) stunned everyone winning the Grade One Cathal Ryan Memorial Champion Novice Hurdle for the Tim Vaughan yard. Willie got consolation for So Young’s poor performance when his Uncle Junior (6/1) claimed the Stephens Green Hibernian Club Handicap Chase. Philip Hobbs was in the winner’s enclosure for the second day running when his Wishful Thinking (11/4jf) took the Mick the Tent Memorial Novice Handicap Chase. Other winners on the card were Kid Cassidy (5/2f), The Baler (5/1) and Whatwillwecallher (3/1f).
Day 5: Grandouet (5/2) was without doubt the classiest performer on Day 5 of the festival. Nicky Henderson’s charge was desperately unlucky at Aintree but made amends in impressive style taking the AES Champion 4YO Hurdle. Henderson and jockey Barry Geraghty were the stars of the show with trebles courtesy of Bellvano (7/2f) and Shakalakaboomboom (14/1) as well as the above mentioned. Freneys Well (5/1) won the opening Irish Field Chase over the banks course for Limerick owner/trainer combination of Enda Bolger and J.P. McManus, albeit very luckily. The other races on the card were won by Truckers Delight (12/1), Shop Dj (7/1) and Shu Lewis (33/1), while the concluding Charity stakes was won by Jacksonslady. Ruby Walsh claimed the leading jockey’s title for the festival with four winners, while Willie Mullins won the trainer’s title with seven winners.
