Paul Townend claimed his first win at this year’s Cheltenham Festival when riding Ferny Hollow (11/1) to victory in the the concluding £75,000 Grade 1 Weatherbys Champion Bumper.
A £300,000 purchase from the Tattersalls Ireland Cheltenham February Sale in 2019, the five-year-old recorded a two and a half-length success, defeating stable companion Appreciate It (15/8f), ridden by Patrick Mullins.
Mullins was recording his 10th victory in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper and a 66th victory at The Festival in total.
Speaking of the winner, the Closutton maestro, admitted:
“He ran too freely on his first two runs and putting a hood on him has changed him, together with more drastic tactics – just holding him up and holding him up. He is lovely at home but gets a little bit upset in a race, so I think jumping will suit him a lot better. We will probably go for the Champion Bumper at Punchestown and maybe the same for Appreciate It.”
5.30pm Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Grade 1)
1 Ferny Hollow (Cheveley Park Stud) Willie Mullins 5-11-05 Paul Townend 11/1
2 Appreciate It (Miss M A Masterson) Willie Mullins 6-11-05 Mr Patrick Mullins 15/8f
Aramax (15/2) delivered a 1019/1 four-timer for The Cheltenham Festival’s winning-most owner JP McManus when powering home to win the Grade 3 Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle.
Wins for Champ (Grade 1 RSA Insurance Novices’ Chase), Dame De Compagnie (Grade 3 Coral Cup) and Easysland (Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase) were the other successful legs of the McManus four-timer.
Mark Walsh drove the juvenile home a length clear of Night Edition (16/1, David Pipe/Tom Scudamore), with another Gordon Elliott runner, Saint D’oroux (14/1), a further three lengths back in third.
The County Meath handler said:
“Mark gave the winner a great ride, giving him a lovely bit of room the whole way around and he jumped well. We always thought this was the right race to go for.”
4.50pm Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)
1 Aramax (J P McManus) Gordon Elliott 4-11-08 Mark Walsh 15/2
2 Night Edition (Stuart & Simon Mercer & John Gent) David Pipe 4-11-03 Tom Scudamore 16/1
3 Saint D’oroux (Simon Munir & Isaac Souede) Gordon Elliott 4-11-03 Daryl Jacob 14/1
4 Recent Revelations (Half Married Syndicate) Gordon Elliott 4-11-02 Davy Russell 14/1
In the £65,000 Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase, French cross-country star Easysland denied Tiger Roll’s bid for a fifth victory at The Festival this afternoon, as winning rider Jonathan Plouganou recorded his first success.
Easysland (3/1), who was bought privately by J P McManus after winning a cross-country chase at The International at Cheltenham in December, and has since won a race at Pau in France, saw off Tiger Roll (8/11f) in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase.
The double Randox Health Grand National winner tried his best but became tired in the ground and finished second beaten 17 lengths. Third-placed Out Sam (33/1) was another 15 lengths adrift.
The winner completed a 119/1 treble for McManus following earlier victories by his Champ and Domaine De Compagnie.
Winning trainer David Cottin said of six-year-old Easysland:
“I was expecting a good run from him. The heavy ground was in his favour. He’s a horse who is extremely well balanced and, while he is only a six-year-old, with a cross-country horse you have to train them when they are young over those jumps. We have been very patient with him as were his former owners. That has paid off.”
4.10pm Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase
1 Easysland (J P McManus) David Cottin 6-11-04 Jonathan Plouganou 3/1
2 Tiger Roll (Gigginstown House Stud) Gordon Elliott 10-11-04 Keith Donoghue 8/11f
3 Out Sam (Mr D Charlesworth) Gordon Elliott 11-11-04 Mr Jamie Codd 33/1
Slovakia & Newcastle United goalkeeper Martin Dubravka has been ruled out action for at least a month. He sustained a knee injury in last Saturday’s 1-0 win away to Southampton. The Slovak FA also confirmed last week that the upcoming playoff against Ireland on Thursday 26th March will now be played behind closed doors as part of attempts to contain the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
Dubravka sustained the injury in a clash with Southampton striker Danny Ings. The game was halted in the 59th minute as the keeper received treatment. However, he played on for the full 90. An assessment after the game showed the knock was more serious than first thought.
The 31-year-old Newcastle United keeper has nailed down the no.1 spot at St.James Park since his move from Sparta Prague in January 2018.
Italian problem
Head coach Pavel Hapal also has concerns about the availability of his Italian based players. Seven of his squad play with Italian clubs. Two of his squad were due to face each other last week. Stanislav Lobotka’s Napoli side were due to play Milan Skriniar’s Inter in the Coppa Italia semi-final on Thursday last. That fixture was postponed. Last weekend’s Serie A fixtures were played behind closed doors. All fixtures have since been cancelled in Italy.
Hapal will await further developments in Italy with interest. The availability of his Italian based players has been cast into further doubt today. Roma were not permitted to travel to Spain for their Europa League clash with Sevilla. Inter Milan’s tie at home to Getafe is also off.
There are currently 10,000 confirmed cases in Italy. The country has entered a strict lockdown. In Slovakia, there have only been 10 confirmed cases to date. The European Championship play-off against Ireland in the National Football Stadium in Bratislava will now be played behind closed doors. The decision was made by the Slovak Football Association in conjunction with Governmental advice.
The Nicky Henderson-trained Champ (4/1) flew up the hill to catch Minella Indo and 5/2 favourite Allaho just before the line in the £175,000 Grade 1 RSA Insurance Novices’ Chase, giving the trainer his third winner of the week and a record 67th succcess at The Festival.
The eight-year-old had it all to do approaching the final fence, but thundered past both Allaho (5/2 favourite) and Minella Indo (3/1), defeating the latter by a length, with the Willie Mullins-trained favourite a further length behind in third.
Champ, ridden by Barry Geraghty for owner J P McManus, was named after former multiple champion jockey A P McCoy. The King’s Theatre eight-year-old was sent off at odds of 4/1.
Winning trainer Henderson said of Champ:
“He’s a horse with a wonderful temperament and attitude, and to be fair his fall [at Cheltenham on January 1] didn’t do that much damage. It was a horrible fall though. We really wanted to have another race but there was nowhere to go. He did have a racecourse school, and to be fair Nico [de Boinville] has done a lot of work with him, particularly in the indoor school, even yesterday morning he jumped half a dozen poles. Everyone has worked hard, it goes without saying, but Nico takes a lot of credit with this one.”
2.10pm RSA Insurance Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)
1 Champ (J P McManus) Nicky Henderson 8-11-04 Barry Geraghty 4/1
2 Minella Indo (Barry Maloney) Henry de Bromhead 7-11-04 Rachael Blackmore 3/1
3 Allaho (Cheveley Park Stud) Willie Mullins IRE 6-11-04 Paul Townend 5/2f
Politologue caused an upset with an all-the-way 6/1 success in the £400,000 Grade 1 Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase, the day two highlight.
Trained by Paul Nicholls, the nine-year-old son of Poliglote jumped brilliantly under Harry Skelton and stayed on strongly in the closing stages to record a nine and a half-length success over stable companion Dynamite Dollars (7/1). The 2/5 favourite Defi Du Seuil was disappointing and a well-beaten fourth.
This was Politologue’s third victory in Grade 1 company and Nicholls’ sixth win in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase, joining Nicky Henderson and Tom Dreaper as the winning-most trainer in the race’s history.
The Ditcheat handler, registering his 46th win in total at The Festival, said:
“Politologue is best fresh and he is brilliant when he is fresh. He is not the easiest to train – he bled in the Tingle Creek and we had to change what we do with him, but he was very, very ready today. There was no other way to ride him.”
Winning owner John Hales was enjoying a third victory in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase following on from the successes of One Man (1998) and Azertyuiop (2004) in the two-mile chasing championship.
The Barry Geraghty-ridden Dame De Compagnie (5/1f) fended off all challengers in the £100,000 Grade 3 Coral Cup.
The Nicky Henderson-trained mare beat Davy Russell and Black Tears (12/1) by two and a quarter lengths, with Thosedaysaregone (10/1) a further two and a half lengths back in third.
This was winner number four for the English handler at the 2020 Festival and followed the victory of Champ in the Grade 1 RSA Insurance Novices’ Chase earlier in the day.
The J P McManus-owned, a seven-year-old by Lucarno, gave jockey Barry Geraghty his 41st Festival success.
The Master of Seven Barrows said:
“You are getting into the realms of you don’t believe it. You certainly couldn’t believe Champ but this is a lovely mare. It’s always a very competitive race but she was very good. It wasn’t that headlong Coral dash with a lot of horses flat to the boards and anything could have won coming down the hill.
2.50pm Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)
1 Dame de Compagnie (J P McManus) Nicky Henderson 7-10-12 Barry Geraghty 5/1f
2 Black Tears (Caren Walsh & John Lightfoot) Gordon Elliott 6-11-02 Davy Russell 12/1
3 Thosedaysaregone (Brynes Bloodstock Ltd) Charles Byrnes 7-10-11 Kevin Brouder (3) 10/1
4 Cracking Smart (Gigginstown House Stud) Gordon Elliott 8-11-11 Gavin Brouder (7) 33/1
Co. Meath trainer Gordon Elliott blew a sigh of relief after Envoi Allen won the opening race on day two of The Cheltenham Festival, the Grade 1 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle.
“He was our best chance of the week and everyone was here to see him,” said Elliott after Envoi Allen (4/7f) beat his stable companion Easywork (12/1) by four and a quarter lengths, with The Big Getaway (9/1) finishing third a further three and three-quarters of a length in arrears.
Elliott added: “I was nervous the whole way through the race. If I had picked the wrong race, I was going to blame him. This was the big one for the week. He is the people’s horse and everyone wanted him to win. He is eight from eight now. I thought Davy had given them too much lead coming down the hill but he knew the horse well – he does what he has to. The horse jumped and stayed.
“He stays, he jumps and was bought to be a three-mile chaser. I think that is what he is going to be, but we will have to discuss next season with his owners. We have a few nice novices, and this one will go to Punchestown.”
Envoi Allen was given a 6/1 quote for next year’s Grade 1 Marsh Novices’ Chase and is quoted at 10/1 for the Grade 1 RSA Insurance Novices’ Chase and the Grade 1 Racing Post Arkle Trophy.
1.30pm Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
1 Envoi Allen (Cheveley Park Stud) Gordon Elliott 6-11-07 Davy Russell 4/7f
2 Easywork (Gigginstown House Stud) Gordon Elliott 6-11-07 Rachael Blackmore 12/1
3 The Big Getaway (Marie Donnelly) Willie Mullins 6-11-07 Paul Townend 9/1
In a year when sport was heavily disrupted, we have still been served some great moments. Recently, Cork’s win over Kerry in the football Championship is a contender for upset of the century. On the other hand, Katie Taylor continues to be one of Ireland’s shining lights by beating Miriam Gutierrez to extend her professional record to 17-0. The remainder of the year still has the potential to throw up more great sporting moments. For example, can Dublin make it six All-Irelands in a row or can Mayo finally get over the line? But, in the meantime here are our top 20 Irish sporting moments since 2000.
20. Ireland 1-0 Italy, Euro 2016.
Our first tournament win in fourteen years. Martin O’Neill’s men never gave Italy a look in during the whole game. But, Ireland were spurning their chances. Wes Hoolahan missed a sitter after just six minutes. However, Hoolahan redeemed himself five minutes from time.
A glorious cross from the hand side sailed over the Italy defenders and Robbie Brady glided in behind them to just knick it around Sirigu in the Italian net. I guarantee you remember it well.
19. All-Ireland Hurling Final decided by hawkeye – 2014.
In 2014, Tipperary and Kilkenny were staunch Hurling rivals. As a result, when the 2014 Championship final threw up these two teams it was scheduled to be one for the ages.
And it didn’t disappoint. Tied 31 apiece with time up, John O’Dwyer had a free for Tipperary 93 metres out. When he hit it, the umpires sent the decision to hawkeye which was being used for the first year ever. The whole country went silent as the shot was replayed in Croke Park and deemed to be wide.
Kilkenny won the replay by three points.
18. Tyrone’s Maiden All-Ireland – 2003.
On 28th September 2003, Mickey Harte took Tyrone to All-Ireland glory for the first time. In the final, Tyrone beat Armagh 0-12 to 0-9 to wash away the pain of final defeats in 1986 and ’95.
Furthermore, Peter Canavan was the man who lifted the Sam Maguire for Tyrone that day. The footballing legend had been a part of the 1995 defeat and was already considered one of the game’s greats. The sight of a red and white sea flooding the field after the game showed just how much it meant to the people from Tyrone.
17. Dublin vs Mayo All-Ireland Final – 2017.
Dublin vs Mayo was the greatest rivalry of the 2010s. In 2015, the Dubs beat Mayo in a semi-final replay on route to their first of 5 in a row. Likewise, the sides met in the 2016 final and needed a replay to be separated. So, when the 2017 final reproduced this fixture, expectations were high.
Thankfully, it turned out to be one of the best football finals in recent memory. With it looking like a draw would be required again, Dean Rock had a free-kick to win it. He made it despite Lee Keegan throwing his GPS tracker in an attempt to throw the Dublin forward off. That was Dublin’s third All-Ireland in a row and fifth in seven years.
16. Leinster’s Heineken Cup Final comeback – 2011.
Another famous Irish Heineken Cup win. Two years after winning the competition in ’09, Leinster failed to show up in the first-half of 2011’s final against Northampton Saints. To illustrate, it was 22-6 at half-time and Leinster looked on course for an embarrassing defeat.
But, a rousing Johnny Sexton team talk spurred Leinster into action. The man himself scored 22 second-half points as they held the English team scoreless to make a famous comeback. It ended 33-22.
15. Darren Clarke wins the British Open – 2011.
42-year-old Darren Clarke shot an even-par 70 in the final round to win his first major championship by three shots in 2011. In a tough week at Royal St. George’s, Clarke kept his head when all about him were losing theirs.
14. Katie Taylor becomes World Champion – 2017.
“It’s by far the biggest night of my career,” were the Bray natives’ words after claiming the WBA Lightweight Title. The unanimous win over Argentina’s Anahi Esther Sánchez just eleven months after turning pro made her the most successful women’s boxer of all time.
13. Conor McGregor knocks out José Aldo – 2015.
McGregor-mania was at its peak in 2015. Therefore, his fight against the undefeated Brazilian José Aldo was coined as ‘the most highly anticipated featherweight fight of all time’.
After 13 seconds it was over. McGregor landed his notorious left hook to knock out Aldo and set the record for the shortest title fight.
12. Dublin make it five-in-a-row – 2019.
After Dublin’s famous battles with Mayo, they coasted to a fourth Championship in succession in 2018. Then, a record five-in-a-row was on the cards in 2019. But, Kerry were the opposition and Dublin had to work for the record. Firstly, the sides played out a thriller that included a red card, a missed penalty, and a Kerry comeback to send the game to a replay. Next, an Eoin Murchan goal separated the sides straight from the throw-in for the second-half in the replay and Dublin won their fifth title in as many years, making history in the process.
11. The O’Donovan’s Olympic Silver Medal – 2016.
At the Rio Olympics in 2016, Irish brothers Gary and Paul O’Donovan captured Irish hearts after claiming the silver medal in the lightweight double-skulls.
The Cork brothers’ silver medal was the first rowing medal ever won by Ireland at the Olympics. Two years later, they won gold at the World Rowing Championships. The pairs’ quirky and colloquial interviews are class to listen to.
10. Tiger Roll wins back-to-back Grand Nationals – 2019.
Before 2019, no horse had won back-to-back Grand Nationals since Red Rum in 1973 and ’74. Trained by Gordon Elliott and owned by Michael O’Leary, Tiger Roll won the Aintree Grand National in 2018. Despite no horse winning successive Grand Nationals in 45 years, Tiger Roll took the title of favourite into the 2019 Grand National. Davy Russell was the jockey on both occasions and in 2019 the duo made history by winning again.
9. Ireland’s Cricketers beat England – 2011.
Many wouldn’t have even known Ireland were facing England in the Cricket World Cup on the 2nd of March in 2011. The Irish weren’t given a chance of winning and the first half of the match didn’t suggest it being any different. By that stage, they had 111 runs, and had lost five wickets. England had posted a huge total of 328.
That’s when former electrician Kevin O’Brien came in and played out of his skin. 113 from 63 balls dragged Ireland back into it leaving them needing just 11 from 11 by the time he was done.
8. Ireland beat the All-Blacks at Soldier Field – 2016.
After coming close to beating the All-Blacks in Dublin in 2013, there had been a lingering feeling that had Ireland had the potential to defeat the prestigious rugby giants going to Chicago in 2016.
That’s exactly what happened. Ireland went up by 30-8 early and despite a second-half fightback from New Zealand, Ireland finished stronger. A 40-29 victory was Ireland’s first over the all-blacks.
7. Dublin’s All-Ireland Win – 2011.
The Dubs hadn’t won an All-Ireland since 1995. In the 2011 final they were up against an incredible Kerry team and it was 1-11 each as the game went into stoppage time. Then, Kevin McManamon won a free 40 yards out.
Up came Stephen Cluxton. It was into the hill, it was for the win, and it went over. Love them or hate them it was an incredible win. That began their dominance of the football Championship.
6. Padraig Harrington British Open Win – 2007.
Harrington had a two-shot lead standing on the 72nd hole at Carnoustie. But, a double-bogey suggested he had blown his chances of a first major. However, Sergio Garcia couldn’t capitalise on Harrington’s mistake and the pair went to a four hole play-off.
That’s when Harrington came to life and when he had a two-shot lead on the 18th again, he kept his cool and won the Claret Jug.
5. Munster Heineken Cup win vs Biarritz – 2006.
After losing Heineken Cup Finals in 2000 and 2002, the pressure on Munster in the 2006 decider was huge. Then, after just three minutes, Biarritz scored the first try and it looked like Munster might fall short again. However, two first-half tries flipped the scoreboard in the Irish province’s favour. Famously, Peter Stringer scored off the back of a scrum to give Munster a lead that they would hold onto.
Likewise, Ronan O’Gara was flawless off the tee to banish the demons of two lost finals. Just look at the scenes in Limerick when Munster get over the line.
4. Ireland host England in Croke Park – 2007.
For the first time ever, Croke Park played host to Ireland’s rugby team in 2007 as Landsdowne Road was being transformed into the Aviva.
For context, this was Ireland vs England, playing an English sport, in the headquarters of Ireland’s National game, after all of the history between the two countries. Hearing ‘God Save the Queen’ in Croke Park was spine-tingling stuff. But, when it was time for ‘Amhrán na bhFiann’ and ‘Ireland’s Call’, you could tell it was fifteen England players against a whole country.
A 43-13 win for the Irish makes this one of the most memorable days in recent Irish history.
3. Katie Taylor wins gold at the Olympics – 2012.
By the time of the 2012 Olympics, it was well-known that Katie Taylor had shaped much of her life around the Olympics. Hence, when she beat Russia’s Sofya Ochigava in the lightweight boxing final it was celebrated by all of Ireland. The Bray native “lifted the spirits of a nation” according to Michael D. Higgins. The fight made Taylor one of Ireland’s most prominent sports stars and she has only gone from strength to strength since, proving herself in the ring professionally.
2. Connacht win the Pro12 – 2016.
In 2016, Pat Lam oversaw Connacht to their first ever major trophy as they won the Pro12 in a historic season for the western province. A successful league campaign that included a win over Leinster and a double over Munster qualified them for the League semi-finals where they faced holders Glasgow. Led by John Muldoon, Connacht won to set up a final with a star-studded Leinster team.
In the final, Connacht executed their game plan perfectly and showed no sign of nerves in their first ever final. Connacht won 20-10 thanks to three tries by a terrific back three of Tiernan O’Halloran, Matt Healy and Niyi Adeolokun.
1. Ireland’s Grand Slam – 2009.
Here’s the scene: Wales 15-14 Ireland, 77 minutes gone, Ireland going for the first Grand Slam. Up steps Ronan O’Gara and slots a drop goal.
However, it’s easy to forget that Stephen Jones had a long-range penalty just after to flip the score again. Thankfully, he missed that kick and Ireland won their first Grand Slam of the 6 Nations era.
Honourable Mentions.
Sonia O’Sullivan 2000 Olympic Silver Medal.
Brian O’Driscoll’s hat-trick vs France – 2000.
Ireland 1-0 Germany 2015.
Ireland’s cricketers beating Pakistan at the 2007 World Cup.
The Willie Mullins-trained Chacun Pour Soi has been dramatically ruled out of today’s feature contest, the £400,000 G1 Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase.
A foot abscess was discovered this morning, ruling the eight-year-old son of Policy Maker out of the two-mile chasing championship.
Mullins told the Racing Post this morning: “Unfortunately Chacun Pour Soi is out of the Champion Chase.
“He cantered on the course this morning and seemed fine, but afterwards we discovered he had an abscess on a foot and after taking veterinary advice we decided to withdraw him.”
The Philip Hobbs-trained Defi Du Seuil is now the 4/11 favourite with sponsor Betway for the five-runner race which is the feature event on day two of The Festival™ presented by Bulmers.
Betway bet:
4/11 Defi Du Seuil
8/1 Dynamite Dollars
10/1 Politologue
14/1 Sceau Royal
28/1 Bun Doran
Updated non-runners today
2.50pm G3 Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle
14 Mister Blue Sky (Vet’s certificate, lame)
Jockey change: 20 Champagne Well (Brian Hughes replaces Paddy Brennan)
3.30pm G1 Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase
1 Altior (IRE) (Vet’s certificate, lame)
3 Chacun Pour Soi (FR) (Vet’s certificate, abscess)
4.10pm Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase
Fact of The Matter (IRE) (Going)
5.30pm G1 Weatherbys Champion Bumper
Jockey change: 3 Ask A Honey Bee (Mr Liam Harrison replaces Paddy Brennan)
Cookies are used for ads personalisation, This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
Manage Cookie Consent
Cookies are used for ads personalisation on SportsNewsIreland.com. To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behaviour or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
