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Rachael Blackmore reunites with Honeysuckle for the featured race of the day at Punchestown.
A winner at Cheltenham’s Champion Hurdle this year, Honeysuckle is the odds on favourite for the Punchestown Champion Hurdle at 5.25pm today.
The Henry De Bromhead trained mare is undefeated in her 11 trips, all of which Blackmore has been onboard for.
The Killenaule native has five rides today in the eight race card, which gets underway at 3.40pm.
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Cheltenham hero Bob Olinger withdrawn from Punchestown at late notice due to coughing
Henry de Bromhead’s Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle winner will not take part in today’s Champion Novice Hurdle. By Press Association Friday 30 Apr 2021, 11:06 AM 10 hours ago 1,941 Views 6 Comments
Rachael Blackmore and Bob Olinger after their Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle victory at Cheltenham.
Image: PA
Image: PA
BOB OLINGER IS a late absentee from Friday’s Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle.
Henry de Bromhead’s hugely impressive Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle winner was found to be coughing on the morning of the race.
Having claimed a clean sweep of the Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase and Gold Cup at Cheltenham, De Bromhead has yet to fire at Punchestown – and Gold Cup hero Minella Indo was also a late absentee with a stone brui
UPDATED 8:03PM, APR 30 2021
And breathe. Between the second-last and about 100 yards from the last this looked like being a lap of honour for Honeysuckle; a glorious homecoming with no residue from her resplendent Cheltenham exertions.
But then it dawned on us. This is Punchestown and Willie Mullins lets you win nothing around here without fighting for it, so Sharjah sneaked out of the pack to try to spoil the party. But, boy, does this girl know how to fight.
The unbeaten sequence was in serious danger as she slowed right up into the final flight, her advantage diminishing from five lengths to one in the blink of an eye, and Sharjah seemed to have all the momentum.
Honeysuckle and Blackmore claim Punchestown Champion Hurdle with dominant performance
Henry de Bromhead’s mare extended her remarkable unbeaten run this evening. By Press Association Friday 30 Apr 2021, 5:56 PM Apr 30th 2021, 5:56 PM 3,545 Views 3 Comments
Rachel Blackmore celebrates winning the Champion Hurdle with Honeysuckle.
Image: Morgan Treacy/INPHO
Image: Morgan Treacy/INPHO
HONEYSUCKLE CAPPED AN amazing campaign when taking her unbeaten record to 12 in the Champion Hurdle at Punchestown.
Henry de Bromhead’s remarkable mare followed up her victory at Cheltenham with another convincing display in the hands of Rachael Blackmore.
Asked to go and win the race after jumping the second-last flight, Honeysuckle soon put daylight between herself and her rivals.
UPDATED 10:22AM, APR 30 2021
Hot favourite Bob Olinger has been ruled out of today s Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown after coughing this morning.
The six-year-old was the general 4-7 favourite to fololow up his dominant win in the Ballymore Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham and uphold the form with second favourite Gaillard Du Mesnil.
Gaillard Du Mesnil had been well supported this morning prior to Bob Olinger s defection and is now the general 4-11 favourite for the Grade 1, ahead of Ashdale Bob at 5-1.
Henry de Bromhead told the Racing Post: Bob Olinger gave a little cough this morning and we just weren’t 100 per cent happy with him so we said we better err on the side of caution. It’s just one of those things. He’s had a fantastic season and he’s one we’re very much looking forward to next season.