Geraghty Wins 30 Day Ban in Limerick

Barry Geraghty Wins 30 day ban

Barry Geraghty is out of the Punchestown Festival after being handed a 30-day ban by stewards at Limerick.

Geraghty, 36, was found not to have allowed Noble Emperor to run on his merits after coming a distant second in Sunday's Handicap Hurdle.

All jockeys except Barry Cash, who rode the victorious Velocity Boy, were asked to explain why the winner was able to open up a large and unassailable lead.

Geraghty's ban starts on 17 April, with Punchestown beginning on 26 April.

The 7-4 favourite Noble Emperor ran in the pack, some 20 lengths behind Velocity Boy, for much of Sunday's race before finishing 11 lengths behind the winner.

The Limerick stewards, acting under Rule 212, also banned Noble Emperor for 60 days and fined trainer Tony Martin 3,000 euros (£2,400).

All other jockeys and horses escaped sanction.

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Sizing Europe wins Boylsports Chase

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Sizing Europe won the Boylesports.com Champion Chase for a second time at Punchestown on Tuesday.

The 12-year-old was always travelling well as he repeated his 2012 success, registering an eighth Grade One win for his trainer Henry de Bromhead.

Leading before the second-last fence under Andrew Lynch, Sizing Europe (7-1) went on to deny Ballynagour by five and a half lengths, with Savello third.

Owner Alan Potts said Sizing Europe will now be retired.

There was drama down the back straight where the favourite Hidden Cyclone fell and hampered Module, who was immediately pulled up.

Potts told At The Races: "Fantastic. I could see him winning because there was nothing in that race that had beaten us. Somersby beat us once. We beat him the rest of the times.

"Somersby obviously didn't run the race he could, but Europe was back to his brilliant best."

When asked if Sizing Europe would be retired after what was an emotional triumph, Potts answered: "Yes."

De Bromhead said: "He is just unbelievable, he was running away with Andrew. He was just loving it. I'm speechless."

Sizing Europe was winning for the 21st time from 42 career starts, his first success under Rules coming in a bumper at Naas in 2006.

Also top class over the smaller obstacles, he landed the Irish Champion Hurdle in 2008 by eight lengths from Hardy Eustace.

As a novice chaser Sizing Europe claimed the Arkle at Cheltenham in 2010, beating Somersby, and returned the following year to lift the Queen Mother Champion Chase crown.

Sizing Europe's success was the highlight of the first day of the Irish National Hunt Festival at the County Kildare track.

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Ruby Flies Again with Hurricane

Hurricane Fly made a winning reappearance in the Dobbins & Madigans At Punchestown Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown after Go Native took a crashing fall at the final flight.

Paul Carberry brought Go Native to challenge long-time leader Hurricane Fly when Noel Meade's nine-year-old came down on his first run over hurdles for 978 days when looking dangerous.

That allowed the winner to come home in his own time and he was 12 lengths clear of the only other finisher, Captain Cee Bee.

It was a pleasing return for the 2011 Champion Hurdle hero and his sixth course and distance success.

Hurricane Fly was completing a hat-trick on the day for trainer Willie Mullins and jockey Ruby Walsh after their wins with Twinlight and Back in Focus earlier on the card.

Mullins said: "It looked like there was going to be no pace and we felt we would have to make it (the running).

"We weren't worried about the trip or ground. All we were really worried about was facing two rivals who were race fit.

"As he gets older he seems to settle better and hopefully he'll improve from that. He's certainly a different horse to last year. I was not happy with him last season.

"We'll look at Leopardstown at Christmas now and the plan will be that, the Irish Champion and Cheltenham as the races are well spread out. He'll be entered up in everything."

Hurricane Fly remained unchanged at 5-1 favourite with Sky Bet for the Champion Hurdle.

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Geraghty Rocks Punchestown Gold

Photo: INPHO

China Rock was a shock 20-1 winner of the thetote.com Punchestown Gold Cup under Barry Geraghty on Saturday.

The nine-year-old ran against Sizing Europe in the Boylesports.com Champion Chase on Tuesday but bounced back from that fourth in a first-time tongue-tie.

He was always travelling well and jumped to the front jumping the last, with Geraghty pushing him out to the line for a five-length success over Follow The Plan (7-1).

15-8 favourite Quel Esprit was third.

China Rock was sporting a first-time tongue tie and Morris thought had made all the difference in his quick run back.

"We weren't going to win anything with him at home! He had a problem and we couldn't find it," he said.

"I thought he bled here the last day (Tuesday) and he didn't so I was trying to scope him with the onboard scope to see about his wind and I said I'd put a tongue strap on him.

"There was only seven or eight runners and there was great prize money down to sixth.

"He was travelling well in the Gold Cup and he fell into a hole, he was travelling reasonable enough the other day over two miles and he fell into a hole again, he just wasn't getting home so it was obviously a wind problem.

"We don't know what it is yet obviously but the wind was the problem. It's magic!"

Geraghty felt China Rock was a worthy winner and admitted he knew he had a shot at glory some way from home.

"He won on merit. He jumped and travelled away and just kept travelling," he said.

"Honestly, as we turned away from the last ditch, I was letting the two lads off in front trying to fill up a little bit (give him a breather) and secure third really, but as we pressed on up to what was the second last, I was travelling better than the two in front.

"He has been competitive in very good races, he has been at this level before but he just hasn't been of late.

"Mouse put a tongue tie on him - Ruby rode him the last day and whether he prescribed that or not, I'm not sure but something worked anyway.

"He jumped and he travelled and he saw out the race where he hasn't been seeing out his races in the past, Mouse told me as it's been a while since I've ridden him."

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Punchestown Passes Inspection

The final day of the Punchestown Festival will take place as planned this afternoon after the course passed a morning inspection.

Racing manager Richie Galway declared conditions to be perfectly raceable after looking at the track on Saturday morning.

The six-race meeting, which features the thetote.com Punchestown Gold Cup, postponed from Wednesday, gets under way at 1440 BST.

The going at the course remains heavy.

Today's meeting at Ripon also goes ahead following a morning inspection.

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Geraghty One Lucky William

Barry Geraghty gave Lucky William (4-1) a fine ride to land the Ryanair Novice Chase at Punchestown.

Never too far off the pace set by Kumbeshwar, Geraghty brought his mount through to challenge for the lead with two fences to jump.

As rivals Menorah and Kumbeshwar faded, he was left with a late battle as Blackstairmountain (8-1) ran on well for Ruby Walsh, however Thomas Cooper's charge was too strong at the line.

Favourite First Lieutenant (9-4) lost his position around four fences from home before staying on for a never-nearer third.

Philip Hobbs' Menorah took up the lead three fences from home and looked to be travelling strongly, however he tired badly late on and was well held at the line.

Alan King's Kumbeshwar, after a bad error at the fourth fence, eventually took a crashing fall at the final obstacle.

Cooper said: "Brilliant, absolutely super. Out of all the runners I thought he was the one who would handle the ground the best and he proved it on the day.

"His win the last day gave him confidence. It was a mighty performance under top-weight on soft ground.

"He's probably a better horse on better ground but he's versatile."

Cooper added: "It's very tricky now lads! He's not a Sprinter Sacre and we'll try and avoid him. There should be plenty of other races for him."

Richard Johnson said of Menorah, who passed the post fourth: "The ground was against us and it was a bit too soft.

"Saying that he was a bit awkward at the first few fences and they are big fences here but he jumped well towards the end.

"He's run a decent race and it's the end of a long season so he's one to look forward to next year."

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Friday Hurricane at Punchestown

Friday's action at the Punchestown Festival goes action after the track passed a precautionary inspection.

Officials checked conditions at 0800 BST ahead of the fourth day of the Festival meeting and reported the course to be fit for racing.

The going remains heavy but the card will begin at 1655.

Hurricane Fly will be the star attraction in the Rabobank Champion Hurdle, one of three Grade One events on the card.

The 2011 Champion Hurdle hero at Cheltenham has lifted this prize at the county Kildare track in imperious fashion for the last two years.

Ruby Walsh's mount lost for the first time since November 2009 when only third to Rock On Ruby at Cheltenham.

"I'd be hoping for a lot more tomorrow than at Cheltenham," said Hurricane Fly's trainer Willie Mullins.

"He's been working well and seems in good form. Hopefully he can produce a good performance."

Mullins' stable will also unleash the committed grey Thousand Stars, who finished second in the race a year ago, and ran well to just lose out to Oscar Whisky in the Aintree Hurdle.

Zaidpour, who was eighth in the Champion Hurdle but had looked more his old self in minor races on testing ground earlier in the campaign, completes the trio.

Edward O'Grady's The Real Article appears the only possible threat to Mullins domination.

Barry Geraghty has the mount on The Real Article, who was placed to win a pair of Grade Two events at Tipperary and Down Royal in the early stages of the season proper.

Donald McCain's British raider Overturn was not declared for the race.

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Quevega Wins Ladbrokes

Willie Mullins' star mare Quevega landed the Ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle at Punchestown for a third successive time on Thursday.

With her recent campaigns restricted to the David Nicholson Mares Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and this contest; the eight year old was having just her sixth start in three years and she has won them all.

In extremely testing conditions Whatuthink and Berties Dream took them along, but Quevega and eventual runner-up Voler La Vedette were always going well in behind.

As Ruby Walsh made his move on Quevega rounding the home turn Andrew Lynch followed suit on Colm Murphy's mare, who was so brave in defeat behind Big Buck's at Cheltenham.

That phrase can be used again here, as she travelled well throughout the contest but had no answer to Quevega's class in the straight.

The winning distance was five-and-a-half lengths at the line and the daughter of the increasingly popular stallion Robin Des Champs has now won 10 of her 14 starts over obstacles.

Mullins said: "She's a good mare. Obviously Voler La Vedette was in some form and had great form coming into the race so I was quite worried, but she did the business.

"We keep it simple - one run every six months!

"We've taken her to Auteuil once or twice but I'm not sure, we'll see how she comes out of this but we'll stick to the same programme next year I would think."

Asked if he could be tempted to clash with Big Buck's, Mullins said: "I'll take on Big Buck's at Cheltenham if they can get him entered in the mares' hurdle, is that good enough!

"The programme we follow works fantastic so I'm not looking for diversions.

"We follow a plan and it works well."

Reflecting on the victory, Mullins said: "She did what Ruby asked her and when push came to shove she still had plenty left in the tank.

"She pinged the last - not like here last year - and as we would never have minded taking on the best over two miles with her, we knew she wouldn't be found wanting for a change of gear.

"She won three on the Flat before she ever came to me. She's a real good mare and she showed that today.

"It was a fantastic performance and a great ride by Ruby too.

"She came in season last week but she came out of it quick enough."

Walsh said: "She was very good, we went a good gallop in testing ground but she settled well and jumped really well.

"Off the bend it looked the match that it was, but Voler La Vedette started to fold going to the last hurdle and my mare stayed better.

"I thought Andrew (Lynch) gave her a great ride at Cheltenham and never got into battle until as late as he possibly could, but Quevega's a great mare.

"Her programme suits me.

"Big Buck's is Big Buck's and I'd say the handicapper has it fairly sorted."

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Mullins Only Punchestown Winner

Ireland's Champion trainer Willie Mullins dominated on a truncated Punchestown card run in gruelling conditions.

Heavy rain, mixed with strong winds, forced the two chases, including the feature Gold Cup, to be abandoned on the day but that did not stop the County Carlow handler claiming four winners on an all-hurdles and bumper card which totalled five races.

Loch Ard got things underway for the Mullins team as he ran out a convincing winner of the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel Hurdle.

Wrekin Rock made a brave bid to lead all the way but he was headed by Walsh on Mullins' charge before the final flight, where he came down.

That left the 6-4 favourite to bound clear and score by 33 lengths from Un Beau Matin with Dysios third.

"We'll try to find another race for him if the weather stays like this but he's on the team for France and will probably go for the four-year-old hurdle at Auteuil next," said Mullins.

Walsh said: "Loch Ard travelled well, jumped well and found plenty in. He's a fairish horse and he did it well.

"The ground isn't too bad - the water is lying on top but it's all surface water. There's a good bottom to it and it is perfectly safe."

Patrick Mullins, successful earlier on Champagne Fever, doubled up, and made it four for his father (also successful with Marasonnien), as Flash Of Genius proved aptly named for the pair in the At The Races INH Flat Race, this time in the Gigginstown House Stud colours.

One Escapes

Shamiran became the only winner on the card not to be trained by Mullins when getting the better of British raider Weekend Millionair in a gruelling opening race as Punchestown's depleted all hurdles and bumper card got under way in difficult conditions.

The two principals were always to the fore as no other horse really got into the Martinstown Opportunity Series Final Handicap Hurdle over two and a half miles.

Tom Bellamy tried to make all the running on the David Pipe-trained Weekend Millionair, but he was accompanied all the way by Shamiran (12-1) in the hands of Ian McCarthy.

Shamiran took it up just before the final flight and pulled away to score by two and three-quarter lengths for County Kildare trainer Stephen Nolan. Streets Of Newyork was third just ahead of Beau Michael.

"I think conditions are perfectly safe. The horses are getting through it," McCarthy told At The Races.

"Six or seven of us lined up to make it. My lad took a bit of a tug going to the first and I jumped to the front. I was able to steady it up everywhere I need to and suit myself.

"He's a tough little horse. We were going into the unknown up to two and a half and in these conditions.

"In fairness he battled and galloped all the way to the line.

"There are a few puddles here and there, but they are getting through it and my horse came fresh enough out of it."

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Punchestown on Weather Watch

Photo: inpho

Officials at Punchestown will continue to monitor the weather conditions at the Co Kildare track before making a final decision on racing on day two of the festival. With more heavy rain and strong winds forecast, today’s card is in danger of being washed out.

“At present day two of the Punchestown racing festival will go ahead as scheduled,” Punchestown’s marketing manager Shona Dreaper said this morning. “The track is currently raceable. We will continue to monitor wind and rain. However, winds are due to ease in the afternoon. A further update will be made at 1.30pm.”

Racing is scheduled to get underway at 3.40pm this afternoon, with the eagerly anticipated Gold Cup the highlight of a top class card. Willie Mullins is confident Quel Esprit is back at the top of his game should the race go ahead as planned.

After completing a hat-trick of victories for the season in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown in February, the bold jumping grey was considered Ireland’s major hope of grabbing Cheltenham Gold Cup glory last month. But after failing to please connections when taking to the Prestbury Park turf on the morning of the blue riband, he was withdrawn from the race.

The champion trainer has been pleased with his eight-year-old’s subsequent homework, however, and feels the rain-softened ground will be right up his street. “We never really found anything wrong with him after Cheltenham. Paul (Townend) just rode him on the morning of the race and wasn’t happy with the way he was moving, but we’ve been pleased with him at home since,” said Mullins.

“All the rain that has fallen will definitely be a big help to him and hopefully he has a big chance. It’s 10 years since we won this race with Florida Pearl and it would be great to win it again.”

Another horse who will relish the underfoot conditions is proven mudlark Rubi Light. Robbie Hennessy’s star turn was not disgraced in finishing fifth in last month’s Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham and steps back up in distance for the first time since chasing home subsequent Gold Cup winner Synchronised in the Lexus Chase.

The Philip Hobbs-trained Captain Chris won at this meeting last year and was one place ahead of Rubi Light in the Ryanair but would have preferred a sounder surface. Jessica Harrington’s Bostons Angel won three Grade One prizes last season as a novice but has failed to rediscover that form so far this term.

And Noble Prince was a big disappointment in the Ryanair Chase and steps up in trip as Paul Nolan aims to help his charge come back to form. Joining Captain Chris on the trip from Britain is the Nicky Henderson-trained Quantitativeeasing, while the field is completed by the Dessie Hughes duo of Roberto Goldback and Magnanimity.

Source: The Irish Times



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Sizing Europe Wins Champion

Sizing Europe recovered from his Cheltenham Festival defeat to win the Champion Chase on the opening day of the big Punchestown meeting.

The 10-year-old lost his Queen Mother Champion Chase title last month when beaten by Finian's Rainbow.

However, he had two-and-a-quarter lengths to spare from Realt Dubh on Tuesday in testing ground.

Cheltenham Gold Cup prospect Sir Des Champs survived a final-fence scare to win the Novice Chase.

Willie Mullins' horse, ante-post favourite for next year's Gold Cup, led by four lengths heading into the last but he very nearly unseated jockey Davy Russell before clinching a 36-length victory as his nearest challengers Mossey Joe and Frisco Depot both fell.

Sizing Europe had suffered his Cheltenham Festival defeat after both he and Finian's Rainbow were forced to bypass the last fence after an earlier fall.

After China Rock led early on in Tuesday's Punchestown race, Sizing Europe moved into the lead after the fourth last and while Realt Dubh, with Paul Carberry on board, threatened on the run-in, Andrew Lynch guided Henry de Bromhead's horse to victory.

Last year's winner Big Zeb was some distance back in third place.

"He was super," said winning trainer De Bromhead after his horse's fifth Grade One victory over fences.

"I was just getting a bit worried that we were going to be caught but we're delighted."

Sir Des Champs stretched his unbeaten run to seven races since joining the Willie Mullins stable with his Novice Chase win but his struggles at the last in the moderate field despite the race's Grade One status will be a concern for his backers.

The six-year-old was sent off the 2-7 favourite following a superb performance in the Novices' Chase at Cheltenham, and was stepping up to Grade One level for the first time.

With Mossey Joe suffering a horrible fall at the same fence when running a big race, hampering Frisco Depot who unseated his rider, Sir Des Champs came home 36 lengths ahead of Shop DJ.

Meanwhile, Philip Hobbs produced a superb training performance as his Snap Tie returned from over 900 days off the track to land the handicap hurdle on day one at Punchestown.

The 10-year-old had last been seen winning a Cheltenham novice chase in October 2009 and Hobbs had gradually nursed his charge back to fitness.

Richard Johnson was never too far off the pace on the 16-1 chance and his task was made easier when strong travelling joint-favourite Ceol Rua slipped up on the flat before the turn for home.

Benash emerged as the only serious threat to the British raider in the straight, but Snap Tie kept pulling out more to register a two-length victory.

Champion Chase

1. Sizing Europe (A E Lynch) 8-13 Fav

2. Realt Dubh (P Carberry) 6-1

3. Big Zeb (R M Power) 13-2

4. China Rock (R Walsh) 18-1

6 ran

Novice Chase

1. Sir Des Champs (D N Russell) 2-7 Fav

2. Shop DJ (A P Crowe) 18-1

3. Ordinary Man (J R Barry) 33-1

5 ran

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Punchestown Festival 2012

Mullins Plans Punchestown

Irish champion trainer Willie Mullins is planning another strong assault on next week's Punchestown Festival, with Hurricane Fly and Quevega leading his team.

With 12 winners in both 2009 and 2010, he had seven last spring, highlighted by Hurricane Fly in the Rabobank Champion Hurdle on Friday week.

He had also won that race the previous year and will bid for the hat-trick after finishing only third in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham last month.

"Hurricane Fly will run in the Rabobank Champion Hurdle but that is going to be a tough race with Overturn confirmed to be coming over," said Mullins.

"Maybe Zaidpour might also run, I'm not sure, and we will have to see how Thousand Stars is closer to the time."

The brilliant mare Quevega will be going for a third consecutive win in the Ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle on Thursday week.

Following a fourth successive victory in the David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham, she will be up against Colm Murphy's Voler La Vedette, runner-up to Big Buck's in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham.

"I'm sure Quevega will go to the World Series Hurdle," said Mullins.

"I have had four or five that have ran in that type of race all season as they had no other options, the likes of Mourad, Mikael D'Haguenet, So Young and Zaidpour.

"We could have two or three in that race or maybe even a fourth as it is their last race of the season."

Irish Hennessy hero Quel Esprit could be Mullins' only runner in the tote.com Punchestown Gold Cup next Wednesday.

Mullins reports the grey to be back to form after missing the Cheltenham Gold Cup when failing to impress in his final workout.

"Quel Esprit will probably be our only runner in the tote.com Punchestown Gold Cup. We are happy enough with him at the moment," Mullins said.

"Obviously we weren't quite happy over there (Cheltenham), but all his riders have reported that he is good so far."

Exciting prospect Sir Des Champs is set to step up to three miles for the Growise Champion Novice Chase on Tuesday after his emphatic victory in the Jewson Novices' Chase at Cheltenham.

"Sir Des Champs has appeared to come out of Cheltenham well and hasn't been doing much since then, but did do a nice piece of work yesterday and he will do another couple of little bits before Punchestown," said Mullins.

"We think he has more in the pot and is a dual Cheltenham Festival winner now.

"Call The Police and Bishopsfurze have had light seasons and can probably take another run so they may also run."

Boston Bob, second in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle, will bid to end his season on a high in the Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle, on Wednesday.

Mullins has other smart novices such as Felix Yonger, Allure Of Illusion, Midnight Game, Simenon and Terminal pencilled in for next week.

"Boston Bob will go for the Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle," he went on.

"I would be keen to keep him and Felix Yonger apart, all being well, as they are in the same ownership (Graham Wylie).

"Felix Yonger will probably go for the two-and-a-half-mile Cathal Ryan Memorial Champion Novice Hurdle after his good run in Cheltenham and I have been happy with him since.

"Allure Of Illusion would look on course for the two-mile Evening Herald Champion Novice Hurdle on the Tuesday.

"I also have Midnight Game in that who has disappointed me a little, but I would think we will let him take his chance as it's the end of the season.

"At this stage, I would say Allure Of Illusion is a definite, and we will have a look at Simenon and Terminal for that also. I would hope to run two or three in this race."

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All About Size in Punchestown

Sizing Europe and Andrew Lynch easily got the better of Big Zeb in the Grade 2 Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown on Sunday.

The Henry de Bromhead-trained 10-year-old dismissed Colm Murphy's 2010 Queen Mother winner with relative ease in what turned into a straight shootout in the Grade Two heat.

Lynch adopted positive tactics on Sizing Europe and took over from the big outsider Imperial Shabra on jumping the first fence, after which he was never headed.

Big Zeb loomed up, looking briefly threatening between the final two fences, before Lynch kicked clear.

Murphy's charge had no answer to the 9-10 favourite, who ran out a 15-length winner.

Big Zeb had been favourite all week, but there was plenty of confidence in Sizing Europe on course and the pair switched positions in the market.

Both had met with defeat in the race 12 months ago, when the ill-fated Golden Silver beat them both, but they went on to dominate the finish at Cheltenham two months later.

Lynch said: "He's done it well. The plan was to go out and enjoy it and use his jumping.

"I wanted to use his big stride and though the ground was tacky he's getting stronger now and handles it better.

"He should improve for that - he hasn't run since the Tingle Creek."

Sizing Europe has been quoted as the 5-4 favourite (from 2-1) to defend his Queen Mother crown.

A disappointed Murphy said of Big Zeb: "Robbie Power was never happy with him today - he said he was always niggling just to keep in touch.

"In fairness, the winner was very good - he's gone a proper gallop on heavy ground.

"We'll improve for the run, but we'll have to.

"Robbie said he was beat before the first fence. It was always a worry running on that ground, it was proper testing.

"Cheltenham is still the plan."

De Bromhead said: "I'm delighted. Fair play to Andrew. I told him to go out and enjoy it and use his stride and his jumping - and that's what he did.

"That's how he needs to race if he's to win. We said we'd make it a good gallop and see how we go.

"I'd say that's as impressive as he's ever looked on that ground. He was amazing today, but Robbie sat up when he realised he was beaten so it was probably exaggerated.

"I'm never confident, especially going to a place like Cheltenham, as it's five weeks away yet."

The winner has been cut to11-10 from 7-4 by Sky Bet for the Queen Mother Champion Chase while the runner-up is a 5-1 chance.