Hewick will sidestep the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup in favour of a return to Sandown on Saturday. Shark Hanlon’s stable star won the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown 12 months ago before going on to claim further big-race victories in the Galway Plate and the American Grand National. Connections decided against a tilt at the […]
Willie Mullins once again made most of the headlines on the opening afternoon of the Punchestown Festival as the champion trainer kicked off the week with a four-timer. The champion trainer invariably dominates the traditional end-of-season meeting and headed back to County Kildare with a formidable team for day one. Mullins was out of luck […]
Emmet Mullins dealt his uncle Willie a rare reverse on the opening day of the Punchestown Festival, as Feronily refused to bend in the Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase. The champion trainer had saddled four of the first five winners on the card, with a couple of one-twos, a one-two-three and a one-two-three-four thrown […]
Chacun Pour Soi made his younger stablemate Energumene pull out all the stops in a thrilling renewal of the William Hill Champion Chase at Punchestown. Having successfully defended his crown in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham last month, Energumene was the 2-7 favourite to also make it back-to-back wins in this two-mile Grade […]
Willie Mullins is excited to see what Facile Vega can achieve over fences next season after surviving a scare to get back on the winning trail in the KPMG Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown. The six-year-old had plenty live up to from day one as a son of the great racemare Quevega, who won six […]
Epictetus stated his claim for Classic honours by landing the Weatherbys Digital Solutions Blue Riband Trial at Epsom. A winner on debut last season, the John and Thady Gosden-trained colt went on to finish second in both the Autumn Stakes at Newmarket and Doncaster’s Vertem Futurity Trophy – where he chased home Betfred Derby favourite […]
Side by side jumping the last in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Galopin Des Champs will attempt to again conquer Bravemansgame in a mouthwatering renewal of the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup on Wednesday. Willie Mullins’ star chaser has a chance to emulate Kicking King (2005), War Of Attrition (2006) and Sizing John (2017) as the most […]
As Frankie Dettori fever builds at the beginning of the Italian’s last season in the saddle, Epsom unveiled a mural of the evergreen rider to commemorate his achievements at the track. The mural, which measures 52ft by 23ft and has been installed on the side of the Duchess Stand at the Surrey track, captures the […]
Tom Marquand is eagerly looking forward to teaming up with Dubai Honour in Sunday’s QEII Cup at Sha Tin following his Australian exploits. The William Haggas-trained five-year-old has taken his form to new heights this year, winning two Group Ones to emulate his former stablemate Addeybb. In beating the now-retired Anamoe on his most recent […]
A new initiative has been launched by Qipco British Champions Series aimed at attracting younger racegoers to top Flat meetings during the summer. ‘Club 26’ is a free-to-join club for people aged between 18-26, with initial ticket offers announced being £10 general admission for club members to the Qipco Guineas Festival at Newmarket on May […]