Video Replays – State Man and Ballyburn Secure Grade 1 Double

State Man and Ballyburn Secure Grade 1 Double, Breaking Mullins’ Record

State Man and Ballyburn achieved a Grade 1 double for trainer Willie Mullins and jockey Paul Townend at the Punchestown Festival, marking a significant milestone. Ballyburn’s victory in the Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle set a new record of 4,378 winners saddled worldwide, surpassing the previous record held by Dermot Weld as the winning-most Irish-based trainer.

Mullins Sets New World Record for Grade 1 Wins in a Season

Mullins also extended his world record for Grade 1 wins in a season to 37. Meanwhile, Townend closed the gap in the race for the champion jockey title to just four wins. Townend’s tally of 119 winners also marked a personal best.

Ballyburn wins the Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle! 🏆

And record-breaking Willie Mullins becomes the winning-most trainer in Irish racing history 👏👏

An incredible achievement! @punchestownrace | @WillieMullinsNH | @PTownend pic.twitter.com/n2keUL86Fc

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 3, 2024

Thrilling Performances from State Man and Ballyburn

State Man delivered one of his best performances in the Grade 1 Boodles Champion Hurdle, completing the Cheltenham/Punchestown double and tying Mullins with Weld’s record. Ballyburn’s triumph in the Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham saw him outpace a top-class field, showcasing his prowess.

Townend Praises State Man’s Talent

Townend spoke highly of State Man, stating, “He’s a star, isn’t he? I love riding him because he’s so simple.” He continued, “He’s just a very good horse.” Mullins echoed Townend’s sentiment, praising State Man’s toughness and consistency in delivering winning performances.

🏆 TEN GRADE ONES FOR STATE MAN 🏆@WillieMullinsNH's star hurdler wins the Boodles Champion Hurdle at the @punchestownrace Festival to cap a perfect season 👏

What a horse 🙌 @PTownend pic.twitter.com/Kegf39egIK

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 3, 2024

Mullins Reflects on Breaking Weld’s Record

Mullins expressed his admiration for Dermot Weld’s pioneering career and noted the honor of being in the same league. He said, “(It’s) fantastic to be up there alongside Dermot Weld. Dermot’s record is unbelievable.” Mullins hopes to break the record later in the week, recognizing that records are made to be surpassed.

O’Connor’s Double Victory and Cromwell’s Success

Derek O’Connor showcased his exceptional skills with a double win on the card, including a victory in the Event Power Champion Hunters’ Chase. Gavin Cromwell also secured a significant win with Brides Hill in the Grade 2 Hanlon Concrete Irish EBF Glencarraig Lady Francis Flood Mares’ Chase, continuing his successful season.

Exciting Finishes in Novice Handicap and Hunters Chase

In the EMS Copiers Novice Handicap Chase, Hgranca De Thaix wore down the pace-setting favorite to secure a win, while Private Ryan stayed on strongest to triumph in the Stanley Asphalt Hunters Chase for The Bishopscourt Cup.

🗣️"I love him…he's just so straightforward."@PTownend pays tribute to State Man, a "special" horse who recorded his fifth Grade One of the season in the Boodles Champion Hurdle at the @punchestownrace Festival 👏@WillieMullinsNH | @irishkor pic.twitter.com/foCqp1Y6GT

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 3, 2024

These thrilling victories and milestones highlight the exceptional talent of Willie Mullins, Paul Townend, and the equine athletes they work with, showcasing the competitive spirit and skill in the world of racing.

State Man lands Boodles Champion Hurdle at Punchestown

State Man (2/7f), winner of the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, added the Boodles Champion Hurdle at Punchestown to his haul this evening.

Ridden by Paul Townend, the Willie Mullins-handled favourite in the four-runner race, ran out a two length winner over Irish Point (7/2), who lead for most of the two-mile contest.

State Man, a seven-year-old son of Doctor Dino, had tracked the leader for most of the way, before leading approaching the final flight of hurdles.

Irish Point and Jack Kennedy made little impression on the eventual winner after the last hurdle, while Colonel Mustard (20/1) came home third, 20 lengths further back.

Munster Football Final 2024 Preview and Team News – Kerry v Clare

Munster GAA Football Senior Championship Final Preview and Team News – Kerry v Clare

The Munster GAA Football Senior Championship Final brings a thrilling matchup between Kerry and Clare for the second successive year. Last year’s final saw a dominant performance from Kerry, who secured a 14-point victory over Clare. As the teams prepare to face off again, all eyes are on whether Clare can turn the tables or if Kerry will continue their streak of success.

Match Background

Kerry and Clare both arrive at the final following strong performances in their respective semi-final matches. Kerry triumphed over Cork with a score of 0-18 to 1-12, while Clare defeated Waterford with a commanding 2-20 to 1-9 victory.

The historical records between the two teams show a distinct advantage for Kerry. In their last 10 championship meetings, Kerry has won all of the matches, and their last five Munster final meetings have also gone in Kerry’s favor.

Key Statistics

– **Last Championship Win:** Clare’s last championship win over Kerry occurred in the 1992 Munster final.
– **Munster Final Meetings:** The teams have met 13 times in the Munster finals, with Kerry winning 12 and Clare only winning once.
– **Kerry’s Munster Dominance:** Kerry hasn’t lost a Munster final since being defeated by Cork in 2008.
– **Managerial Experience:** Kerry manager Jack O’Connor enters his tenth Munster final, having won six of his previous nine finals and leading Kildare to the 2021 Leinster final.
– **League Performance:** Kerry finished third in Division 1 of this year’s Allianz League, while Clare was third in Division 3.
– **Recent Meetings:** Kerry’s victories over Clare in their last five championship games have seen an average winning margin of 12.4 points.

Team News

Kerry and Clare will be looking to field their strongest lineups for the final. Both teams have experienced players and rising stars who have the potential to make a significant impact on the game.

Kerry’s strength lies in their strong offensive play, particularly from key players like David Clifford and Sean O’Shea. Their solid defense, anchored by the likes of Jason Foley and Tadhg Morley, will pose a challenge for Clare’s attack.

Clare, on the other hand, will rely on players like Emmet McMahon and Aaron Griffin to lead their offensive efforts. Defensively, they will look to players like Cillian Brennan and Cillian Rouine to keep Kerry’s forwards in check.

Both teams are expected to deliver a competitive and high-energy game, with Kerry’s experience and recent success giving them the edge. However, Clare’s desire to break their losing streak against Kerry and claim their first Munster title since 1992 could provide the motivation they need to challenge the reigning champions.

Munster GAA Football Senior Championship – Clare Team:

1. **Stephen Ryan**
2. **Manus Doherty**
3. **Cillian Brennan**
4. **Ronan Lanigan**
5. **Alan Sweeney**
6. **Cillian Rouine**
7. **Ikem Ugweru**
8. **Darragh Bohannon**
9. **Brian McNamara**
10. **Daniel Walsh**
11. **Dermot Coughlan**
12. **Gavin Murray**
13. **Emmet McMahon**
14. **Aaron Griffin**
15. **Ciarán Downes**
16. **Tristan O’Callaghan**
17. **Michéal Garry**
18. **Darren Nagle**
19. **Mark McInerney**
20. **Cormac Murray**
21. **Fergal Ginnane**
22. **James Curran**
23. **Diarmuid O’Donnell**
24. **Joe McGann**
25. **Jamie Stack**
26. **Tom McDonald**

Munster GAA Football Senior Championship – Kerry Team:

1. **Shane Murphy**
2. **Paul Murphy**
3. **Jason Foley**
4. **Tom O’Sullivan**
5. **Brian Ó Beaglaíoch**
6. **Tadhg Morley**
7. **Gavin White**
8. **Diarmuid O’Connor**
9. **Joe O’Connor**
10. **Dara Moynihan**
11. **Paudie Clifford**
12. **Cillian Burke**
13. **Tony Brosnan**
14. **David Clifford**
15. **Sean O’Shea**
16. **Shane Ryan**
17. **Sean O’Brien**
18. **Adrian Spillane**
19. **Barry Dan O’Sullivan**
20. **Dylan Casey**
21. **Paul Geaney**
22. **Stephen O’Brien**
23. **Mike Breen**
24. **Killian Spillane**
25. **Darragh Roche**
26. **Armin Heinrich**

Connacht Football Final 2024 – Galway v Mayo – Starting teams

Galway v Mayo - Preview, Team News, Stats and Tickets

Connacht GAA Football Senior Championship team player by team and jersey numbers:

Connacht GAA Football Senior Championship – Galway Team:

1. **Connor Gleeson**
2. **Johnny McGrath**
3. **Seán Fitzgerald**
4. **Jack Glynn**
5. **Dylan McHugh**
6. **John Daly**
7. **Liam Silke**
8. **Paul Conroy**
9. **Seán Kelly**
10. **Johnny Heaney**
11. **John Maher**
12. **Cein Darcy**
13. **Robert Finnerty**
14. **Damien Comer**
15. **Shane Walsh**
16. **Conor Flaherty**
17. **Séan Mulkerrin**
18. **Eoin Kelly**
19. **Daniel Ó Flaherty**
20. **Jack McCabe**
21. **Cathal Sweeney**
22. **Kieran Molloy**
23. **Liam Ó Conghaile**
24. **Cillian Ó Curraoin**
25. **Matthew Tierney**
26. **Sam Ó Neill**

Connacht GAA Football Senior Championship – Mayo Team:

1. **Colm Reape**
2. **Jack Coyne**
3. **Rory Brickenden**
4. **Sam Callinan**
5. **Paddy Durcan**
6. **David McBrien**
7. **Donnacha McHugh**
8. **Stephen Coen**
9. **Matthew Ruane**
10. **Jordan Flynn**
11. **Fergal Boland**
12. **Jack Carney**
13. **Aidan O’Shea**
14. **Tommy Conroy**
15. **Ryan O’Donoghue**
16. **Rob Hennelly**
17. **Enda Hession**
18. **Conor Loftus**
19. **Darren McHale**
20. **Eoghan McLaughlin**
21. **Cillian O’Connor**
22. **Diarmuid O’Connor**
23. **Pádraig O’Hora**
24. **Kevin Quinn**
25. **Paul Towey**
26. **Bob Tuohy**

Leinster v Northampton – Starting teams

There are two changes from the starting lineup that defeated La Rochelle in the Quarter-Final last month.

Caelan Doris captains the team once more as both Ross Molony and Josh van der Flier both return to the pack, having started the La Rochelle win among the replacements.

Ciarán Frawley starts at full-back, as Jordan Larmour and James Lowe are named on the wing. Robbie Henshaw and Jamie Osborne are named in the centre.

After his Player of the Match performance against La Rochelle, Ross Byrne partners Jamison Gibson-Park in the half-backs.

In the forwards, Andrew Porter and Tadhg Furlong pack down either side of Dan Sheehan in the front row.

Molony joins Joe McCarthy in the second row, with van der Flier named in the back row, alongside Ryan Baird and Caelan Doris.

Among the replacements, Cian Healy is set to become the all-time appearance holder in the history of the Champions Cup. He is currently on 110 appearances, alongside Ronan O’Gara.

The Clontarf FC native, who won a Senior Cup title with Belvedere College in March 2005, made his European debut in the 2008/09 season against Edinburgh and has since established himself as one of the standard bearers of Irish and European rugby.

In that time he has won four Champions Cup titles and a Challenge Cup and will tomorrow win his 275th Leinster cap, closing in on Devin Toner’s record of 280.

Jimmy O’Brien also makes a welcome return to the match day squad, after recovering from a neck injury.

15. Ciaran Frawley, 14. Jordan Larmour, 13. Robbie Henshaw, 12. Jamie Osborne, 11. James Lowe, 10. Ross Byrne, 9. Jamison Gibson-Park, 1. Andrew Porter, 2. Dan Sheehan, 3. Tadhg Furlong, 4. Ross Molony, 5. Joe McCarthy, 6. Ryan Baird, 7. Josh van der Flier, 8. Caelan Doris (c)

Replacements:

16. Ronan Kelleher, 17. Cian Healy, 18. Michael Ala’alatoa, 19. Jason Jenkins, 20. Jack Conan, 21. Luke McGrath, 22. Harry Byrne, 23. Jimmy O’Brien

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS

15. George Furbank, 14. James Ramm, 13. Tommy Freeman, 12. Fraser Dingwall, 11. George Hendy, 10. Fin Smith, 9. Alex Mitchell, 1. Alex Waller, 2. Curtis Langdon, 3. Trevor Davison, 4. Alex Moon, 5. Alex Coles, 6. Courtney Lawes (c), 7. Sam Graham, 8. Juarno Augustus

Replacements:

16. Sam Matavesi, 17. Emmanuel Iyogun, 18. Elliot Millar-Mills, 19. Temo Mayanavanua, 20. Angus Scott-Young, 21. Tom James, 22. Tom Litchfield, 23. Tom Seabrook

Teahupoo completes Cheltenham-Punchestown Stayers’ Hurdle Double

20240502_181219 — Teahupoo and Jack Kennedy win the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Stayers Hurdle at Punchestown. Credit: Breandán Ó hUallacháin.

Teahupoo won the Thursday highlight at the Punchestown Festival, the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Stayers Hurdle.

In completing the Cheltenham-Punchestown Stayers’ Hurdle double, the French-bred provided Irish jump jockeys’ championship leader Jack Kennedy with another winner in his quest to become champion for the first time.

Trained by Gordon Elliott and owned by Brian Acheson’s Robcour, the gelded son of Masked Marvel was a six and a half length winner over Willie Mullins’ Asterion Forlonge, with Kennedy’s jockeys’ championship rival, Paul Townend, in the saddle.

Home By The Lee, from the Joseph O’Brien yard, was a head further back in third under J.J., who won the feature race on both of the opening two days.

List of runners and riders for the QIPCO 2000 Guineas

Declared runners for day two of the QIPCO Guineas Festival – 2000 Guineas Day, Saturday 4th May

3:35pm QIPCO 2000 Guineas Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series) 1m
1 (8) Alyanaabi (IRE) 3 9 2 Shadwell Estate Company Ltd Owen Burrows Jim Crowley
2 (2) City of Troy (USA) 3 9 2 Mrs John Magnier,Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith Aidan O’Brien Ireland Ryan Moore
3 (3) Ghostwriter (IRE) 3 9 2 Mr J. C. Smith Clive Cox Richard Kingscote
4 (5) Haatem (IRE) 3 9 2 Sheikh Abdullah Almalek Alsabah Richard Hannon James Doyle
5 (11) Iberian (IRE) 3 9 2 Teme Valley & Ballylinch Stud Charles Hills Tom Marquand
6 (7) Inisherin 3 9 2 Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum Kevin Ryan Tom Eaves
7 (1) Night Raider (IRE) 3 9 2 Clipper K. R. Burke Daniel Tudhope
8 (6) Notable Speech 3 9 2 Godolphin Charlie Appleby William Buick
9 (4) Rosallion (IRE) 3 9 2 Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum Richard Hannon Sean Levey
10 (9) Task Force 3 9 2 Juddmonte Ralph Beckett Rossa Ryan
11 (10) Ten Bob Tony (IRE) 3 9 2 TBT Racing Limited Ed Walker Saffie Osborne

Fastorslow wins Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup

Winning phot - Fastorslow — Fastorslow and J.J. Slevin win 2024 Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup. Credit: Breandán Ó hUallacháin.

Fastorslow won his second Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup this afternoon, taking the scalp of Galopin Des Champs for a second successive year.

Ridden by J.J. Slevin, and trained by Martin Brassil, the Seán and Bernardine Mulryan-owned son of Saint Des Saints, held off the late brave challenge of the Cheltenham Gold Cup hero, Galopin Des Champs in the Punchestown home straight.

A surprise winner of this event last season, French-bred Fastorslow started the 9-horse race today as 7/2 second favourite, with the Willie Mullins-handled Galopin Des Champs going to post the 1/2 favourite.

The eight-year-old Fastorslow had a length and a quarter advantage over the Irish and Cheltenham Gold winner of 2024 at the finishing line, with former American Grand National winner Hewick (12/1) third home, in the hands of Jordan Gainford, two and a quarter lengths behind the runner-up.

Judd Trump Suffers Quarter-Final Upset to Jak Jones

Judd Trump Suffers Quarter-Final Upset to Jak Jones at World Snooker Championship

Judd Trump faced a surprising defeat, falling 13-9 to Jak Jones in the quarter-finals of the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. Entering the final session tied at 8-8, world number two Trump struggled to maintain his rhythm in a tactical match that played to Jones’s advantage.

Breaks of 87 and 61 allowed Jones to pull ahead at 11-9, and the Welshman secured a memorable victory with an impressive run of 106. He advances to the semi-finals, where he will face either seven-time champion Ronnie O’Sullivan or 2015 winner Stuart Bingham in a best-of-33 frame match.

Jak Jones Makes an Impact

Playing in the tournament for just the second time, Jones, known as the Silent Assassin, aims to become the third qualifier to win the world title, following in the footsteps of Terry Griffiths in 1979 and Shaun Murphy in 2005.

“I feel good and pleased to get through,” Jones told BBC Sport. “I thought Judd struggled. He started with a century, which motivated me. I played well in the next three frames, and even though it was tied at 4-4, I felt like he was a different player and went into his shell a bit. I took advantage of it.”

Kyren Wilson Leads John Higgins

Meanwhile, Kyren Wilson holds a 9-7 lead against four-time champion John Higgins as they head into the final session of their last-eight match on Wednesday evening.

Trump Falls Short Despite Strong Season

Trump, the 2019 world champion, had a successful season, winning five ranking events and achieving 79 century breaks. He began his quarter-final match against world number 44 Jones as the clear favorite, but aside from a 110 break in the opening frame, he struggled to find his usual form.

Jones’s tactical safety play dominated Wednesday’s final session, as Trump’s highest break was a mere 22. “I just struggled,” Trump admitted. “I had a lot of chances, but it was slower than I liked, and I couldn’t get any rhythm. It felt like starting over every time I came to the table.”

Jones Takes Control

Jones took the lead with an 87 break in the 19th frame and benefited from Trump’s misses, including a failed pink in the 20th frame. Another miss on a yellow allowed Jones to close in on victory, completing his journey to the semi-finals.

Red Bull Racing F1 CTO Adrian Newey to Focus on Hypercar

Red Bull Racing F1 CTO Adrian Newey to Focus on Hypercar Project and Leave Team in 2025

Oracle Red Bull Racing announced today that Adrian Newey, Chief Technical Officer, will step down from his role with the Red Bull Technology Group in the first quarter of 2025. Newey will transition away from his Formula One design responsibilities to concentrate on the final development and delivery of Red Bull’s first hypercar, the highly anticipated RB17. He will remain actively involved in the project until its completion.

Adrian Newey’s Impact on Red Bull Racing

Adrian Newey joined Red Bull Racing in 2006, playing a key role in the team’s transformation from a new contender to a dominant force in Formula One. Under his technical leadership, the team achieved seven F1 Drivers’ Championships and six Constructors’ Championships, along with 118 victories and 101 poles, including the STR 2008 pole and victory.

Adrian Newey Reflects on His Red Bull Racing Journey

“Ever since I was a young boy, I wanted to design fast cars and be an engineer in Formula One,” Adrian Newey said. “I’ve been fortunate to fulfill this dream and contribute to Red Bull Racing’s journey from newcomer to multiple title-winning team. Now, it feels like the right time to hand the baton to others and embrace new challenges. My focus during the remaining time with the team will be on the RB17’s final stages of development.”

“I want to thank the talented people I’ve worked with at Red Bull over the past 18 years for their dedication and hard work. I’d also like to express my gratitude to the shareholders, the late Dietrich Mateschitz, Mark Mateschitz, Chalerm Yoovidhya, and Christian Horner for their support and friendship. Thanks also to Oliver Mintzlaff for his leadership and Eddie Jordan, my close friend and manager.”

Team Principal Christian Horner Commends Newey’s Contributions

Christian Horner, Oracle Red Bull Racing Team Principal and CEO, lauded Adrian Newey’s exceptional contributions: “Adrian’s influence over the past 20 years has been pivotal in our 13 titles across 20 seasons. His innovative approach and outstanding design skills have propelled Red Bull Racing to greater success. He is not only a legend in the sport but also a dear friend and trusted partner. His legacy will resonate through the halls of Milton Keynes, and the RB17 Track Car will serve as a fitting testament to his time with us.”

Adrian Newey’s Achievements with Red Bull Racing

Adrian Newey’s inaugural design for the team, RB3, achieved a podium finish at the 2007 European Grand Prix. His designs also secured the team’s first victory with Sebastian Vettel and Toro Rosso at the Italian Grand Prix in 2008. His RB5 design earned the team its first win at the 2009 Chinese Grand Prix, followed by five more victories that season.

The RB6 propelled the team to its first double title in 2010, a feat repeated in each of the next three years. With the introduction of hybrid power in 2014, Newey shifted his focus away from Formula One to work on the creation of the Valkyrie hypercar. The team’s partnership with Honda as its power unit partner in 2019 reignited Newey’s passion, leading to success with RB16B and the 2021 Championship. An extensive regulation change in the following season marked the beginning of a new era of dominance starting in 2022 with RB18 and continuing to this day.