Ashley’s a red hot favourite
turf fans lick their wounds as favourites beaten
BOOKIES gave punters a bloody nose as favourites failed to shine on day one of the Punchestown Festival.
An unseasonably chilly day at the Kildare course got off to a promising start when the heavily-fancied Jamie Codd expertly steered Enniskillen to take the opening race. But that was where their luck ended as short-priced favourites Melon and Un De Sceaux both tasted defeat. Hayley O’connor of Ladbrokes said: “The popular Jamie Codd reeled the chips in for the punters aboard the favourite but after that it was the bookmakers who were dining out. “Un De Sceaux’s defeat ruled out most of the multiples and Labaik’s late start also proved heartache for his backers.” Boylesports spokesman Liam Glynn added: “It’s too early to put all our eggs in one basket just yet but day one was certainly a winning day for us.” Paddy Power’s Feilim Mac An Iomaire commented: “A bit like the weather punters got off to a magnificent start with a winning favourite, but the bookies soon rained on their parade with Un De Sceaux getting beat in the big one and a good few backers would have walked back to Naas with their tails between their legs.” The battle between Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins is one of the most intriguing sub-plots this week. And Mullins was the first trainer to taste victory between the two when Cilaos Emery took the Herald Champion Novice Hurdle ahead of Melon to complete a 1-2 for the Co Carlow trainer. The task was made easier when Labaik, who beat both the first and second at the Cheltenham Festival, stalled at the start before eventually jumping off, but his chances of winning were well gone by the time he did. Un De Sceaux started the big race – the Boylesports Champion Chase – as odds-on favourite but was defeated by Fox Norton under a sublime ride by man of the moment Robbie Power. After the race, he said: “It’s been an
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unbelievable season, to get a Grade 1 at Punchestown for Mr and Mrs Potts as well is fantastic.” It added to his successes in the Irish and Cheltenham Gold Cups, as well as the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse last week. Despite the defeat, Mullins claimed €47,500 for coming second to add to the €78,000 he picked up from his earlier 1-2. At the end of day one though, Mullins still trailed Elliott in the Trainers’ Championship. He said: “I’m under no illusions but it’s a great start. My team are in good order but we have a mountain to climb.” Glenda Gilson was joined by Social and Personal Editor PJ Gibbons, horse trainer Andy Mcnamara’s wife Rhona for the first day of judging for the Bollinger Best Dressed Lady Competition. The winner will be announced on Friday. The Xpose presenter opted to wear a Joseph black dress with a beige coat, with Jimmy Choo shoes. She said: “I nearly put a pair of tights on me but then I said no I won’t do that and I did the trousers suit before. “You need to be comfortable in what you’re wearing because then you have confidence. “Sometimes people have too much going on with gloves and umbrellas, and I know people want to tick all the boxes, but sometimes less is more.” Ashley Reade, 24, from Cara in Naas, Co Kildare, was crowned the best dressed winner for the opening day for standing out in a stunning red dress with a grey coat. The hair stylist, who works in The Academy Belle in Celbridge bought her coat and dress in Kildare Village, her hat and gloves in Jingles in Naas and her clutch in Zara. RTE presenters Sean O’rourke, Blathnaid Ni Chofaigh, Brenda Donohue, Daithi O Se and Marty Morrissey also enjoyed the action. Marty joked: “I’m trying to be responsible and good. I know what this crowd are like so I’m trying to get to bed early at 9 o’clock…in the AM.” Sean joked they would all make it safe into work this morning despite yesterday’s antics. Ever the professional, he said: “We were all in work this morning and we’ll be there tomorrow as well.”