Punchestown Supplement 2019 by River Media Newspapers

LEINSTER LEADER

Tuesday, April 23, 2019 www.leinsterleader.ie

W H E R E I T ’ S AT B E F O R E A N D A F T E R T H E T R A C K

PUNCHESTOWN2019 T u E S D Ay 3 0 T H A P R I L – S AT u R D Ay 4 T H M Ay

BUS EVErYDA Y R U N N IN G FROm T TO AND HE RACE S

HOT FOOD DAILY

C A R V E RY L U N C H - B A R F O O D - D I N N E R

rOBBIE POwEr G I V I N G T I p S D A I LY: F R O m 1 2 . 3 0 p m

LIVE MUSIC

E V E RY E V E N I N G A F T E R T H E R A C E S

BOTTOMLESS BUBBLES BrUnCH

SITTINGS AT 11.30Am & 1.30pm. mAIN COURSE & BOTTOmLESS BUBBLES FOR 2 HOURS

FrIDAY 3rD

HOp ON THE BUS wITH US – GIN & BUBBLES – mANILLA STRINGS – DJ’S BAND – FOOD

0 4 5 - 8 8 1 1 1 1 | w w w. O S p R E Y H O T E L . I E

LEINSTER LEADER

www.leinsterleader.ie Tuesday, April 23, 2019

PUNCHESTOWN FESTIVAL, APRIL 30-MAY 4, 2019

Conor O'Neill, General Manager Punchestown. PICTURE: TONY KEANE

Changing of the Guard at the Home of National Hunt Racing

Tommy Callaghan

verything changes but everything stays the same. At least that is what those at Board level will be hoping for as since last season's Punchestown Festival, there have been major changes at top at the Home of National Hunt that is Punchestown.

Dick O'Sullivan, the man that has led the Punchestown revival since 2002 has decided to take a step backwards — although I can assure one and all he has not gone away — and has been replaced by Wicklow man, Conor O'Neill. Other changes will see

Richie Galway, Racing Manager, maintain a part time role in that position as he moves to take up a more permanent position in Commonstown Racing to support the expansion and success achieved by Jessica Harrington, Kate and his wife Emma. Dick O'Sullivan now moves into a new position as President of Blackhall Racing and will continue to be involved in the day to day running of the business. Shona Dreaper, Marketing and Communications Manager, will work as understudy to Richie Galway while he remains there in a temporary capacity. Janet Creighton continues as Sales and Commercial Manager, while David Butler has joined the Punchestown team as Events Manager. New man in the hot seat, Conor O'Neill is not new to Punchestown; over the past two years he has worked as Events Manager. He was the General Manager at Limerick Racecourse prior to returning to Punchestown

where he had worked in various capacities over the previous ten or twelve years. 2018 has been an incredible year for Conor O'Neill, as apart from taking up the reins at Punchestown he was also elected Chairman of the Association of Irish Racecourses (AIR) a position that sees the holder become a Director of Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) and also sees the 30year-old become Chairman of the Media Rights Committee, a vital role which essentially keeps the 26 Ireland racecourses going; a very influential role indeed for the new Punchestown boss. And then just top off the year, Conor explains himself, “I decided to go for the treble, and get engaged, that will see himself and his financé, Limerick native Laura Bolger, tie the knot later this year (see extensive interview with Conor inside). But for now all Conor's energies, along with the entire 'family' at Punchestown will be concentrated on one thing and one thing only, the 2019 Punchestown Festival.

Richie Galway and Dick O'Sullivan

LEINSTER LEADER

Tuesday, April 23, 2019 www.leinsterleader.ie

PUNCHESTOWN FESTIVAL, APRIL 30-MAY 4, 2019

The biggest and best Festival of them all is about to get under way

The white flag is raised ... Tommy Callaghan

few weeks prior to the start of the Annual Punchestown Festival and the place is an absolute hive of activity as preparations step up a gear for the five day extravaganza. The ground work has been done, the various and varied marquees are in situ, as everyone prepares for a festival that will see in excess of 125,000 visitors over the five days. Dick O'Sullivan may be taking a somewhat back seat

for the first time since 2001 but he is still very much around, making sure everything is as it should be. One thing that is bothering the Kerry native however is the weather. As everyone in the racing game, trainers, owners, jockeys, punters, to name just a few, is fully aware we have experienced an incredible dry spell over the last number of months. To say it has upset plans for trainers and owners in particular, would be an understatement of huge proportions. And Dick O'Sullivan is fully aware of this as you might imagine. “We need rain, and lots of it” Dick told us when we visited a couple of weeks ago. “I have never experienced such a dry spell, it has actually forced us to start watering the course; that some three weeks prior to the start of Festival.” It is a problem we could have done without, insists

Great lep at Ruby's Double at the famous La Touche race

More plans in the pipeline as Punchestown continues to grow and flourish, both on and off the course

the former CEO, but we have to deal with it and our grounds man, and his staff, are, as usual on top of the problem; if the dry spell continues and at this stage it certainly looks like we are not going to get the downpour we need, we will continue to water right up to

the start of the Festival. Dick has seen the incredible transformation that has taken place at the Kildare track since he arrived in 2001. Of course it was Dick's guiding hand, along with the incredible staff at Punchestown, that has seen the place practically rise up from what at one time looked like a terminable demise. And while the improvements over the last 12-18 months in particular, have been immense, including the magnificent new Hunt Stand that opened for last year's Festival, there are still more plans in the pipeline that will enhance the place even further, particularly on the track. These plans are expected to be announced soon after this year's offering is done and dusted. There also plans to upgrade the entrance, something that is probably very much needed, but all these new additions will kick

into being soner rather than later.. The new entrance, we are told, will be spectacular, something that Dick O'Sullivan has promised for a number of years now and, new CEO, Conor O'Neill has promised that those plans are now top of his agenda. So all in all we can look forward to another brilliant Punchestown Festival next week with no less than 12 Grade 1 races and prize money in excess of €2m. While Conor O'Neill, Dick O'Sullivan, head grounds man, Sean Ryan, will be hoping for rain between now and the start of the Festival come Tuesday April 30, the rest of us will be hoping for dry, warm, and whisper it, sunshine. Racing, and particularly, Punchestown, is in a very unusual position, hoping and praying for rain prior to the Festival, followed by a five days or dry sunny conditions. Fingers crossed. Enjoy!

per mt 5 8 4 € From *.

Volkswagen Leasing.

it No depos

What it removes sets your business free. No large advance payment*. No-hassle Fleet Management.

No road tax & CVRT costs. No maintenance costs.

No resale worries.

Enjoy a 24 hour test drive at Sheehy Motors Naas Newbridge Rd, Naas, Co.Kildare

Tel. 045 906600

www.sheehyvolkswagennaas.ie

*Terms and conditions apply. Prices exlude VAT and all Service and Maintenance products. Prices are based on 3 monthly payments upfront. please contact your local Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Retailer for further information. Price quoted based on volkswagen Amarok 3.0 TDI 204BHP 4WD COMFORTLINE driving 10,000 kms per year over a 54 month term. Details apply to N1 vehicles only.

LEINSTER LEADER

www.leinsterleader.ie Tuesday, April 23, 2019

PUNCHESTOWN FESTIVAL, APRIL 30-MAY 4, 2019

2018 was a magnificent success for Punchestown and the icing on the cake arrived when announced the Racecourse of the Year Award 2018 at Horse Racing Ireland Awards 2018 took place at The Clayton Hotel, Dublin. Pictured the presentation is Martin 'Snowy' Pearce, Conor O'Neill, David Mongey, Shona Dreaper, Richie Galway ad Dick O'Sullivan. PHOTO CHRIS BELLEW /FENNELL PHOTOGRAPHY.

Andrew Coonan on the thrills and spills and his role with the IJA Paul O'Meara

f you fancy sitting aboard a beast with a mind of its own, moving at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour with nothing between you and a crashing fall save for a thin leather plate and two stirrups - it’s the job for you.

Horse racing fans often wonder what it is that compels someone to become a jockey. Sure, there is an element of risk associated with many sports and rugby probably comes to mind quicker than most. However with horse racing the chance of injury comes with a money back guarantee. And with National Hunt racing it’ll happen more quickly and more often than in races with no jumps. “It’s the thrill of being first past the post on a horse at the end of a race; when you're the best of all the other riders in that race, it’s an unbelievable thrill.”

That’s Andrew Coonan’s explanation. And he’d have a good idea. Andrew is the nephew of the late Bobby Coonan, a multiple winner of the Irish champion jockey title in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Andrew was himself an amateur (unpaid) jockey for about 15 years, starting as a 17 year old. He grew up around horses and became a National Hunt rider “for the love of it. I was surrounded by horses and for me it was a natural follow on.” So were the injuries. He says he was fortunate because he didn’t suffer a break to a major limb but his ailments included damage to his ribs, lungs, hands, ankles, shoulders as well as concussion. This background coupled

The IJA provides a voice for riders including their health and safety, welfare and career opportunities Andrew Coonan Secretary Irish Jockey Association

with the fact that he’s a solicitor means it hard to think of anyone more suitable for the role as secretary of the Irish Jockey Association. The IJA is the representative body for professional jockeys and virtually all of the 180 pro jockeys in this country are members. It's like a trade union though it’s not affiliated to any other similar grouping or umbrella organisation. He also represents jockeys faced with alleged rules breaches. “The IJA provides a voice for riders and a platform to represent their views in so many aspects of the industry, including their health and safety, welfare and career opportunities,” said Andrew. Jockeys are paid €197 (National Hunt) or €176 (Flat) per ride and the IJA tries to keep these fees in line with inflation. But out of this the jockey has to pay an agent (who books the rides), a valet (who looks after their riding gear) as well as tax and expenses (a jockey might be in Co. Down today and Co. Cork tomorrow) . Valets work in changing room getting clothing and saddle ready and this is work the jockey simply hasn’t time to do because of the quick turnaround time between races. And a single valet is tasked to look after a number

of jockeys in any given race. The IJA also works to ensure that riders are provided with health insurance, which is sponsored by UK transport giant Stobart and which is why you’ll see the company name on jockey’s silks. “This is important because rides run the risk of a career ending injury every day. Because of the risk is expensive and some companies won’t even offer cover.” There is also a scheme to provide some payments for jockeys who are injured and the amount they receive is based on the number of rides they've done — with the most active riders receiving most. It also provides critical illness cover in the event of a jockey suffering an illness unrelated to the profession. The most high profile example of this is top flat jockey and Rhode, County Offaly native Pat Smullen, who is recovering from pancreatic cancer. “This is a new initiative and it’s unique to Irish jockeys. It was a huge step forward and it ensures that they're not left stranded in the event of a career being cut short because of something completely unforeseen. It is important that some protections are in place when they are unable to work in what is already a

Andrew Coonan, Secretary of the Irish Jockeys Association very insecure job.” Another initiative the IJA has embarked on is taking measures to encourage riders to have some kind of education plan. “What we are doing here

is developing an alternative career plan in the background so that they are suitable for an alternative career or job if a jockey finds he or she can no longer ride competitively or for a living.”

LEINSTER LEADER

Tuesday, April 23, 2019 www.leinsterleader.ie

TEL: 045 409 020 VISIT: kitchenworld.ie

BACK A WINNER! GET A GREAT DEAL ON YOUR NEW KITCHEN OR WARDROBE FROM KITCHEN WORLD

DAKOTA DAKOTA PAINTED PAINTED SOLID SOLID ASH ASH

K-BAR K--B K BA AR HANDLELESS HAN HA ND DLE LELE LELE LESS SS

BERKLEY BERK BE RKLE LE EY NARROW NA NARR ARR RROW RROW OW RAIL RA AIIL WARDROBE WARDRO WA RD R DR RO OB BE E

VISIT OUR NEWBRIDGE SHOWROOM TODAY - Unit W8 D Tougher Business Park, Newbridge, Co.Kildare

LEINSTER LEADER

PUNCHESTOWN FESTIVAL, APRIL 30-MAY 4, 2019

www.leinsterleader.ie Tuesday, April 23, 2019

New boss, Conor O’Neill, on i Tommy Callaghan

t has certainly been one momentous year in the life of one Conor O'Neill. A year when he was elected Chairman of the Association of Irish Recourses; followed that up by being appointed General Manager of Punchestown, taking over from the legendary Dick O'Sullivan. And than as Conor says himself, “I decided to go for the treble and got engaged to Limerick native, Laura, that will see the happy couple walking down the aisle come October this year. So who is Conor O'Neill, where did he come from; what is his background and how did he land the big job at the home National Hunt Racing at Peerless Punchestown? Conor takes up the story himself. From Ballyknockan in Co. Wicklow, a mere 25 kilometres from his new headquarters at Punchestown, Conor comes from a family that has no background in the racing game, although “like everyone else in the area we did attend the Punchestown Festival every year.” He attended school in the Cross & Passion in Kilcullen and it was probably here he got his taste for racing, or to be more precise, bookmaking, for at an early age he set his heart in becoming a bookmaker. “When I was about 14-years-of-age I decided I wanted to be a bookmaker so I took off one Sunday to the Curragh and approached a gentleman, and I suppose I was very fortunate who I chose, not knowing a whole lot about it, but I approached a fella by the name of Justin Carthy who was Chronicle Bookmakers at the time, probably the biggest on-course bookmakers in England and Ireland, so I said to Justin that I wanted to become a bookmaker and could I go and work for him to get a bit of experience.” To Conor's surprise Justin readily agreed and they decided meet the following

He set out to become a bookmaker; gained a degree in Equine Business; took up a position in Punchestown; appointed boss at Limerick Racecourse; elected Chairman of AIR; arriving back in Punchestown three years later, now CEO weekend, ironically, at a Punchestown meeting. “Needless to say this was to my mother's disgust as I was still at school but I stayed at the books while at the same time linking up with Justin, every weekend.” I started working with Justin the following Saturday in Punchestown and for the following ten years I travelled around with him to every racecourse in Ireland and the UK including to Cheltenham, Aintree, Royal Ascot, them all basically; a fantastic education and you meet with all sorts of characters; all shapes of life; it was great said a very enthusiastic Conor as we sat in his office at Punchestown a few weeks prior to the start of next week's Festival. Under pressure at home, Conor decided that while he was sticking with the weekend work 'standing' with Justin Carthy, he signed up to do a degree in Equine Business, “which was the compromise as far as I was concerned.” Part of the first year entailed a three month placement that summer which he did at HRI headquarters with Margaret Davin, who was the financial controller there at the time. Conor readily admits that he was extremely fortunate with the people he got to work with where “I got an absolute wealth of knowledge and experience along the way, without which I would certainly not be where I am today and that's for certain.” During his third year in college an option came up for

When I was just 14-years-of age, still at school in Kilcullen, I decided I wanted to be a bookmaker Conor O'Neill and how he first got involved in Racing

a 12 month placement, which the Wicklow man jumped at, and lo and behold his placement was to Punchestown, under the tutelage of one Dick O'Sullivan, Richie Galway and all the gang there. So it was a delighted Conor who headed off to Punchestown as he explains. “I would have know Dick O'Sullivan and Richie Galway from my involvement with Chronicle Bookmakers; not well, but I knew them, and they gave me the opportunity to come here to Punchestown which I jumped at and I certainly got a great handle of the business that year. “I came in July, just before an Oxegen Concert; I did a few months in the accounts department and got a great grasp of the business, every aspect of it, from the ground up; but Oxegen and everything else that was going on showed me that Punchestown was not all about racing and that it needed events such as the concerts to remain viable and sustainable throughout the year. “It is a fantastic facility here but the fact that we don't race from the middle of May until the middle of October, is a huge cost and we have to sustain the place, but it was a great eye opener particularly to see the running of the entire place from a completely different angle.” Conor admits that he really had the best of both worlds, learning the ropes at Punchestown while at the same time continuing to work at weekends with Justin Carthy and Chronicle. Then when his 12 month placement was completed Dick O'Sullivan asked him to stay on, while at the same time finishing his final year in college. Having graduated with his degree in Equine Business, Conor was then offered a full time position by Dick O'Sullivan, which again he had no hesitation in accepting. “The fantastic thing about Punchestown, and you know

Conor O'Neill, looking forward to his first Festival as CEO at Punchestown

LEINSTER LEADER

Tuesday, April 23, 2019 www.leinsterleader.ie

PUNCHESTOWN FESTIVAL, APRIL 30-MAY 4, 2019

ii a life changing 12 months how some people get tight up on job roles and job titles and specific roles, but Punchestown is different; it is a great team effort; no such things like that's not my job; we all row in make it happen.” In all the years I have been going out to do pre-Festival interviews at Punchestown, that is the one thing that props up time and time again; everyone works together, everyone mucks in, if there is a job to be done, regardless of what it entails, who ever is available takes the role and there is no doubt that that is something that Conor O'Neill will not be changing. Two years full time in Punchestown, while still linking up with Justin Carthy, it was at that time Chronicle decided to sell the business to Ladbrokes and Justin asked Conor to join him full time in the Ladbrokes business so when the deal with Ladbrokes eventually got over the line, part of that package was that he (Conor) had to work with Ladbrokes for a year, which he signed up for.

t was a completely different role from the role he had with the betting side of things with Justin; this was a big Plc and Conor soon realised that maybe this was not for him as he missed the buzz from the betting ring and was coming to the conclusion that the role with Ladbrokes was not for him. It was coming up to the end of the 12 months of my contract when an opportunity came up for theposition of General Manager at Limerick Racecourse, which I applied for, and got. “My contract with Ladbrokes ended on the Sunday of Derby weekend at the Curragh and I took up my new role in Limerick the very next morning. “I was in Limerick for three years, a fantastic place, and I really enjoyed my time there, it was a relatively new facility; the community were great for me; very proud sporting people; really got behind the venture; Shannon Airport came on board to sponsor the Christmas Festival which is Limerick's major meeting; we got RTÉ coverage for that and it really helped to raise the profile; only last Christmas they got their first Grade 1 and I was delighted for everyone involved there” said Conor, adding “it was there I met my wife to be (Linda Bolger) and we are due to get married in

October this year. Meanwhile Conor was in touch with Dick (O'Sullivan) and Riche (Galway) on a regular basis. “They were great mentors of mine, regularly on the phone and then one night I got a call from Dick wondering if I would do a Cheltenham Preview and would I mind going down to a local pub in Blenerville in Kerry; a great Preview night, and I have done it every year since.” Conor explains that after that Preview he went back to Dick's place and over a cuppa and a long chat Dick suddenly said to him: “Would you ever consider coming back up to me and Punchestown, join up with Richie and all the gang again.” The job in Punchestown was evolving at the time explained Dick said “I think there could be great opportunities for you up there in the years go come.” I thought about it; said Conor adding “I did not have to think too long and I agreed but said I was going to stay in Limerick up until the end of the year as I wanted to get the next Christmas Festival over the line for Limerick.” That was not a problem as far as Dick was concerned and so Conor O'Neill returned to Punchestown in 2018 as Commercial Manager; Richie was focusing on the racing side and Conor was asked to look at the commercial and the events side of the business. 2018 was a very busy year; the revamp of the entire facilities; the highlight, the building and opening of the new Hunt Stand, a mighty addition to the Punchestown facilities and one Conor says “epitomises everything that is great about everyone in Punchestown but it will stand in time as an epitaph to Dick O'Sullivan and all that the has achieved here over the years.” It was before last year's Festival that the position of Chair of the Association of Irish Racecourse came vacant and Conor O'Neill decided to put his name into

Would you ever consider coming back up to Punchestown, join up with me, Richie and the gang Dick O'Sullivan enticing Conor Neill back to Punchestown

All set for next week's Festival, Conore O'Neill

the hat for that prestigious post. Conor was elected and explains that there are a few roles in that particular job. “You automatically become a Director of the Board of HRI and you take the role of Chair of the Media Rights Committee, a vital role which essentially is what keeps the 26 race courses in the country going; so absolutely vital funding.” After the 2018 Festival, Dick, who had been in charge of Punchestown since 2003 when he came to Kildare for a scheduled six month stint to try and sort out the mess it had found itself in, and what a success he has made of it turning it around to what it is today. Anyway Dick had decided to take a step back somewhat and as Conor explained that he knew when leaving Limerick when that (GM) job eventually became vacant it would be Richie Galway who would be the automatic

choice to replace the great Kerry man with Conor stepping up to back up Richie. But there was another twist on the way when Richie, son-in-law to top trainer Jessica Harrington was contemplating stepping up his role back home with Jessica. Again Conor explains: “Richie no doubt had a conversation with his wife at home and with his involvement in Jessica Harrington's yard, which has and continues to enjoy tremendous success over the years; a business that is really growing and he (Richie) felt he needed to get more involved with that but it was without doubt the hardest decision Richie Galway ever made. “He spoke to me and to Dick about his plans and in the end he made what I believe has been one of the hardest and toughest decisions in his life when

deciding to leave Punchestown.” That was one long week confides Conor, everything happening, lots changing and all very suddenly. Dick came to me and said “the car has come off the road, we have to get it back on it and I as have made my decision to take a step backwards I am now going to the Board and propose that you be given the position of CEO of Punchestown and

I decided to go for the treble and got engaged to Limerick native Laura Bolger Conor O'Neill on his long term plans away from racing

take over my role.” The Board backed Dick all the way; the position was ratified by the Board of the Kildare Hunt Club and Conor O'Neill was appointed the last day of May as the CEO of Punchestown. And so as we look forward to the Punchestown Festival of 2019, Conor O'Neill can certainly look back on the last 12 months that has not only seen major changes in Punchestown but monumental changes in the life of Conor O'Neill. A man that has come a long, long way from the day he headed off to the Curragh Races, seeking to become a bookmaker. Little did he know that that was his initial step to becoming the CEO at the home of National Hunt Racing. We wish him well for the week ahead; for the years ahead and in particular on his big day when he ties the knot with fiancé, Laura Bolger.

LEINSTER LEADER

www.leinsterleader.ie Tuesday, April 23, 2019

PUNCHESTOWN FESTIVAL, APRIL 30-MAY 4, 2019

29 years since its inception the 'Kidney Race' continues to enjoy huge support

Charity Race has rasied over €1.5m

Conor McHugh

he 30th running of the annual Punchestown Charity Race will take place on Saturday, May 4 at Ireland’s Premier National Hunt Racing Festival in aid of The Punchestown Kidney Research Fund. Called the “Have the Conversation – say yes to Organ Donation” race, there were over 100 applicants to take part in the 30th consecutive running of event, Ireland’s longest running Charity Race. This has been reduced to

25 jockeys who have just received their One Day Licence and are all going to enjoy the unique experience of being a Jockey at Ireland’s biggest National Hunt Festival in front of 30,000 people on the day. Former Wexford football and hurling dual star, Redmond Barry, is back again to try and go one better than the very close second place he finished in 2016. He hopes to team up once again with English Grand National Winning Trainer Gordon Elliott to land the hugely popular “Kidney Race”. Also back to have another crack is Coilog Equestrian Centre’s Chris Byrne who is 61 and is riding in his sixth Punchestown Race. Isobel Wirgman – Neal is one of the youngest participants at 21 and will be riding for Jessica Harrington. It is amazing to note that Jessica has had a runner in this special race every year since the inaugural running of the race back in 1990 when

Redmond Barry back in the saddle for the Charity Race; inset, James Nolan, founder of the race

25 participants go to post, having raised a minimum of €1,500 each

she rode Banker’s Benefit – she also saddled the legendary Moscow Flyer to win this Race under Kate Harrington in 2007. 30-year-old Ganna

German, who rides for Shelia Lavery, will be representing the Ukraine, while Michelle Brette will represent France, Maurice McCarthy will represent England and Patrick Lawlor will be flying in from London to take part. The one they all have to beat is last year’s popular 50-1 winning combination of Karen Moore and Archibald who are back to defend their title. The 25 amateur riders will battle it out over 1 mile 7 furlongs and ost of the riders will have made huge efforts to be fit enough to ride in the race, riding out every morning, learning to ride, work, losing weight and generally improving their fitness. In addition, they raise a minimum of €1,500 for the privilege, which goes to the Punchestown Kidney Research Fund. Kilcullen’s James Nolan initiated both the charity and the race having received a second chance at life when

his sister Catherine donated one of her kidneys to him on July 25, 1987. Without this, he was facing a life on dialysis. He has ridden in the race himself 13 times and won it on Nero’s Dancer in 2002 – priced at the very rewarding odds of 50-1 — an experience he describes as one of the highlights of his life. Over the past 29 years the PKRF, which is a registered Irish Charity, has managed to raise over €1.5 million which has been divided amongst various projects that fulfil the scope of our objectives: to improve the quality of life of patients on dialysis, support medical research projects that help people with kidney disease and increase organ donor awareness in Ireland. A milestone project in the history of the PKRF Charity was the opening of the new Renal Ward at Temple Street Children’s Hospital in January 2018, by James Nolan’ sister and kidney donor, Catherine Doyle.

Tuesday, April 23, 2019 www.leinsterleader.ie

LEINSTER LEADER

www.leinsterleader.ie Tuesday, April 23, 2019

PUNCHESTOWN FESTIVAL, APRIL 30-MAY 4, 2019

A Guide to beating the bookies at Punchestown

Ignoring the Cheltenahm hot pots Justin Kelly

f betting was a simple game, there'd be no bookies at this year's Puncestown festival, or at any meeting for that matter. Betting at Punchestown is a particular minefield as it book-ends the season with many runners having been campaigned across the spring festivals. Some horses will come here on the back of runs at Cheltenham or Aintree or even Fairyhouse at Easter with seemingly solid form in the book. Cheltenham form in

particular is given serious weight by the casual punter. “It won at Cheltenam, so it's a sure thing here.” Not so, I'm afraid. History tells us that the Cheltenham hotpots, while almost always well supported at Punchesotwn, can come undone on its undulating track. As it comes at the end of a long season, lead-in form can often be deceptive in Kildare. What's my advice? Ignore the Cheltenham winners, despite their skinny odds and big reputations. Take last year for example; Samcro stumbled and fell on landing at the third last in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle, perhaps a consequence of tiredness after a busy season; Delta Work was turned over by Next Destination after tasting Cheltenham glory in the Pertemps. The same can be said of Penhill, beaten by Faugheen here last year after storming to a Stayer's Hurdle win at Prestbury Park. The same

Al Boum Photo will arrive at Punchestown after winning the Gold Cup at Cheltenham

Open 7 days.

Watch the racing on our big screens. Live Music Thursday-Sunday.

Open Friday & Saturday from 11.30pm.

Perfect place to meet before & after the racing action. The Square,Kildare Town Co Kildare, Ph: +353 (0) 45 522232

www.silkenthomas.com

fate befell Penhill a year previous when he could only muster a runner-up run at Punchestown after Cheltenham glory. Similarly with Rathvinden, easily accounted for by The Storyteller at Punchestown in 2018 after a testing victory in the Cheltenham four-miler the previous month. Looking further back to 2017, the free-wheeling Un De Sceaux was thwarted at Punchestown after winning the Ryanair at Cheltenham, as was the enigmatic Labaik after a shock Cheltenham victory. It's often hard to run your finger past a Cheltenham winner, but it may well be worth the momentary unease. Take this year with a host of Cheltenham winners likely to line up at Punchestown, including Defi Du Seuil, City Island, Paisley Park, Duc Des Genievres, Minella Indo and even Gold Cup hero Al Boum Photo. It's going to be hard to dismiss them for betting terms, and in all likelihood, at least two of them will win. I'd be willing to suggest that those would be Duc Des Genievres and Minella Indo if they line up, with the more high-profile winners the ones to oppose. City Island has the world at its feet after beating Champ and Battleoverdoyen in the Ballymore to extend its unbeaten run over hurdles to four, but that was a tough race. Samcro won it the year before and looked a tired horse when falling at Punchestown. The soft ground at Cheltenham this year could also play its part. Paisley Park was a popular and impressive winner of the Stayer's Hurdle at Cheltenham but that was another energy-sapping display. He's unlikely to show up at Punchestown

but if he does, he'll have a brigade of hardened home contenders, many of them with strong Punchestown form. The undulating track could be enough to show up insufficient energy reserves. Defi Du Seuil is another possible English raider and his Cheltenham form took a serious franking thanks to Lostintranslation's win over RSA winner Topofthegame at Aintree. Defi Du Seuil has

Lostintranslation's number by all known form and would probably be odds-on at Punchestown. However, he has put in a few stinkers in his time and his sole Irish start to date was disappointing. He finished 27 lengths behind Supasundae at Leopardstown last February so perhaps doesn't travel well. While that was over hurdles and he's been reformed over fences, a tilt at Punchestown would be his sixth run of the season and that may just stretch him. Al Boum Photo will arrive at Punchestown after winning the Gold Cup at Cheltenham. If he lines up in the Punchestown Gold Cup in a bid to emulate Sizing John's CheltenhamPunchestown double in 2017, hel'll need to banish the memory of last year's run-out disaster. He could face stablemate Kemboy, a horse that fell at Cheltenham and had a relatively easy spin and victroy around Aintree at the beginning of April. He is fresh and improving with every run. Cheltenham winners had mixed fortunes at Aintree. It could be an omen that this year's Cheltenham festival was a stiff test for many on soft ground. It's worth looking out for trainers who skipped Cheltenham with a few of their leading lights. Jessica Harrington is often a prime example with a few gems in her Punchestown string.

Cheltenham winner, City Island, likely to line up again in Punchestown

Tuesday, April 23, 2019 www.leinsterleader.ie

LEINSTER LEADER

RED COW MORAN HOTEL

A luxurious stay only 30 minutes from Punchestown

T: 01 459 3650 | reservations@redcowmoranhotel.com www.redcowmoranhotel.com

LEINSTER LEADER

www.leinsterleader.ie Tuesday, April 23, 2019

PUNCHESTOWN FESTIVAL, APRIL 30-MAY 4, 2019

169th year on we take a look back when it all began without even a stand

The Hunt Ball, Festival highlight Paula Campbell

he annual five day Punchestown Festival is a pretty big deal on the sporting calendar.

It is the grand finale of the jump racing and attracts thousands of visitors to it's tracks in Kildare every April. Now in its 169th year we take a look back at local reports of when it all began in the days before the viewing stand, and amateur jumps, to rubbing shoulders with royalty, racing in a hurricane and the first ever Hunt Ball. The first race meeting of the Kildare Hunt Club took

place at Punchestown on April Fools Day, April 1, 1850. According to reports it was not a nice day, the jumps were 'a bit amateurish', 20 the three mile course and 14 over the two miler. There was no stand, limited view and the weather didn’t help. As the day wore on the wind and rain increased in violence and racing continued in what was described as a perfect hurricane. Four year's later and the first two-day April meeting at Punchestown was held in 1854, by which time a wooden stand had been erected. That meeting was immortalised in Michael Angelo Hayes’ water colour painting The Corinthian Cup. Nearly ten years later the success of the meeting of 1863 inspired a bard to compose a 55 verse epic, in the course of which he mentioned such County Kildare worthies as Lord Naas, Aylmer of Donadea, the Baron de Robeck, and Tom Conolly MP. A loud hurrah for Ireland, boys,

meeting was reflected in the extensive coverage it was given in the daily press, as in 1864 when the presence of two marquises, an earl, a viscount, a lord, a baron, a baronet and an MP where amongst the stewards:

And louder for Kildare, And loudest of all for Punchestown,

For I known you all are there. The fame of the two-day

It was estimated that the Great Southern Railway carried over 5,000 passengers over the two days ‘without the least inconvenience to Sallins’. The end of the Kildare hunt season, and of the two days of racing at Punchestown, culminated in the Hunt Ball, the social event of the year, attended by the nobility and gentry of the county and of neighbouring counties. In 1867 the entrance to the Town Hall, Naas, was decorated with evergreens and lattice work, and the police were on duty outside to control the onlookers. Inside the hall the rooms were brilliantly lighted with gas, and the walls decorated with flowers, evergreens, bannerettes and armorial

devices. Caterers from Dublin provided the supper which included every delicacy of the season, including boar’s head, Limerick ham, oxtongues, veal and turkey, pies, soup, salmon, roast chicken and duckling, lobster salads, jellies creams. The hunt races of the following year were even more exciting and glamorous as the 27-year-old Prince of Wales, who was familiar with County Kildare from the training period he had spent in the Curragh Camp some years before, was there. Naas began to benefit year on year from the influx of visitors, some of whom came by the special trains and stayed overnight. Hackney cars did a roaring trade, the public houses were packed to capacity, and the numerous vendors and punters who were annual visitors, added to the colour of the festival and it soon became a social highlight in the calendar that we know and love today.

"GOOD FOOD BUT NOT A SPORTS BAR"

IRISHROVER7777

Home of the chicken rotisserie & new outdoor dining area

Derrycrib Donadea. d B Book now 045 869 160

Tuesday, April 23, 2019 www.leinsterleader.ie

LEINSTER LEADER

www.leinsterleader.ie Tuesday, April 23, 2019

PUNCHESTOWN FESTIVAL, APRIL 30-MAY 4, 2019

A look ahead to some of the big races in next week's Punchestown Festival as thethe

Top tips, and form, for the five day Punchestown Festival Robert Catterson

et another National Hunt season will come to an end next Saturday at the Punchestown festival and while so much has happened since last year’s dramatic five day extravaganza, not much has changed in the grand scheme of things. It’s been the Willie Mullins show for much of the campaign and while others have attracted some of the limelight, the Closutton handler is still very much setting the standard. That could be very evident again at the 2019 Punchestown festival. TUESDAY We’ll find it hard to top last year’s Boylesports Champion Chase but there’s little or no doubt that Willie Mullins will dominate the opening day’s main event once again. He’s got Min, so imperious at Aintree, Footpad and Un De Sceaux and it’s very hard to see anything other than an allthe-way win for Min here. There are 12 Grade 1 races throughout the week and one of the highlights could be Klassical Dream stamping his authority two mile novice hurdle scene with an emphatic win in the Grade 1 Evening Herald Champion Novice Hurdle. He was sublime in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and expect him to win well here before embarking on an exciting chasing career next term. Delta Work let many Irish punters down in the RSA Chase but I’m certain that wasn’t his true running and he’s worth another chance in the Dooley Insurance Champion Novice Chase. I’m so convinced that he’ll win that I make him the banker of the week. Other horses on Tuesday’s opening card worth following are Blue Templar in the Fr Sean Breen Chase for the Ladies Cup and he should go

one place better than last year. Willie Mullins might hold the key in the Kilashee Handicap Hurdle but his brother Tom could upset the party if throwing the consistent Court Maid into the mix. As for the Goffs Landrover Bumper, look no further than Hell’s Canyon, which could be the next Gigginstown superstar following his demolition job in a Kirkistown point-topoint in February.

Tuesday’s Tip: Blue Tamplar, Klassical Dream (NB), Court Maid, Min, Hell’s Canyon, Delta Work (NAP). WEDNESDAY The Grade 1 Punchestown Gold Cup is potentially the race of the week and for the second time in three years, the reigning Cheltenham Gold Cup winner will be lining up. Nearly 12 months on from his nightmare episode in the Growise Champion Novice Chase, Al Boum Photo is now the horse to beat here but he’ll face proper competition in Kemboy, which was stunning in his Aintree victory. The only other horse worth a serious shout is last year’s winner Bellshill and from a punting point of view, he might be the value pick. Al Boum Photo though sets the standard and he’ll get the job done. The Grade 1 Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle is likely to see the 1-2-3 from the Albert Bartlett renew rivalry and with that experience likely to help him greatly, Allaho can come good here on what will be just his third run over timber for Willie Mullins. We could also have another familiar duel in the Grade 1 Racing Post Champion Bumper, where Blue Sari can gain compensation over Envoi Allen. Tintangle, in the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel Hurdle, and Blast Of Koeman, in the Guinness Handicap Chase, could be worth siding with on the same card too. Wednesday’s Tips: Tintangle, Allaho, Al Boum Photo (NAP), Blast Of Koeman, Blue Sari (NB), Stops A Nation. THURSDAY With no Paisley Park and

Willie Mullins' Klassical Dream, with Paul Townend on board here, could stamp his undoubtedly authority in the Grade 1 Evening Herald

Faugheen an unlikely runner, the Grade 1 Champion Stayers Hurdle will be as wide open as it has ever been. Apple’s Jade might wait until later in the week so a chance is taken with Bapaume, which comes into his own at this time of the season. Bapaume goes into this

race on the back of a mighty run at the Cheltenham festival. The La Touche Cup will once again offer its thrills and spills and despite having first run in the race in 2015, Josies Orders is still looking to win the famous race for the first time. That can change next week however as he goes into

the race in fine fettle and can send the Punchestown crowd into overdrive with victory. Walk To Freedom was well fancied going to Cheltenham and despite things not working in his favour, he must have a solid chance for Jessica Harrington in the Alanna Homes Handicap Hurdle over three miles.

One of the performances of the season so far was undoubtedly Chacun Pour Soi’s scintillating success at Naas a few weeks’ ago and he looks bombproof against his likely opposition in the Grade 1 Ryanair Novice Chase. Call A Cab hasn’t run over timber since finishing third in the JLT Handicap Hurdle last year and he should be

LEINSTER LEADER

Tuesday, April 23, 2019 www.leinsterleader.ie

National Hunt Seaon of 2019 comes to an end after another brilliant season

Mullins, Elliott set to go head-to-head again

his star mares Willie Mullins decides to run here. However, one horse certain to run is Sharjah and he’s arguably been one of the most consistent horses in this sphere this season. He won’t be far away, that’s for sure. City Island was hugely impressive when winning the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle last month and there’s every chance that he could be even better next week. With the form of his Cheltenham win franked by Champ, he should have too many guns for the likes of Mister Blue Sky and Annamix. Scoir Mear bounced back to form in style when winning at Navan last month and he can strike while the iron is hot in the EMS Copiers Novice Handicap Chase, a race he finished fifth 12 months ago. It would be a surprise if Alpha Male wasn’t back to try and retain the Bishopscourt Cup for Peter Maher after his stylish success last year and he could very well win again. Slowmotion has been a little in-and-out this season but her recent Cheltenham effort would put her into the mix in the Glencarraig Lady Mares Handicap Chase while Stand Up And Fight is probably worth another chance in the Star Best Racing Champion Hunters Chase. Breaken, if he lines up in the SalesSense International Novice Hurdle, could be nothing more than a steering job judged on his recent Limerick win. Friday’s Tips: Alpha Male, Scoir Mear, Slowmotion, Sharjah, City Island (NAP), Stand Up And Fight, Breaken (NB).

d Champion Novice Hurdle on Tuesday

able to shoulder top weight to success here. As for the Listed Close Brothers Mares Novice Hurdle, Elfile might prove the pick of the Closutton clan. Thursday’s Tips: Call A Cab, Josies Orders, Bapaume (NB), Walk To

Freedom, Chacun Pour Soi (NAP), Elfile, You Raised Me Up. FRIDAY It’s a bitter disappointment that we won’t get to see Espoir D’Allen in the Grade 1 Punchestown Champion Hurdle but it does mean a more open contest. The key will be to which of

SATURDAY A combination of glorious sunshine and high quality racing and Saturday’s family day will be perfectly poised to round off the season in style. Like the Champion Hurdle, the Annie Power Mares Champion Hurdle will rest around the Mullins’ contingent and having won the race last year, it would make perfect sense to run Benie Des Dieux here. The fact that she’s beaten Apple’s Jade before will be a

Looking forward to another successful Punchestown Fetival, Michael O'Leary with trainer Gordon Elliott

big plus. Coeur Sublime has been one of the most consistent juveniles all season and he should have a great chance of bagging a big race win in the Grade 1 AES Champion Four-Year-Old Hurdle for Elliott and Russell. After his near miss last year, Hurricane Darwin could be hard to beat in the

Dooley Insurances Cross Country Chase while Crosshue Boy, out of luck in the Scottish Grand National, looks just the type to put up a bold show in the Palmerstown House Pat Taaffe Handicap Chase. The Ballymore Handicap Hurdle has gone the way of Willie Mullins the last two years and while he’s sure to

have plenty of firepower again, Whatsafellatodo, for race sponsor Sean Mulryan, might be one to go very well with a very light weight on his back. Saturday’s Tips: Hurricane Darwin, Crosshue Boy, Benie Des Dieux (NAP), Coeur Sublime (NB), Whatsafellatodo.

LEINSTER LEADER

www.leinsterleader.ie Tuesday, April 23, 2019

PUNCHESTOWN FESTIVAL, APRIL 30-MAY 4, 2019

Naas and the surrounding areas get into the Festival mood

Paint the Town continues to grow

Niamh O'Donoghue

he town of Naas, along with Clane, Kilcullen, Ballymore Eustace and Blessington have once again embraced the Punchestown Festival as is evidenced from the Paint The Town Red campaign. The now annual campaign was launched back at the start of April, in association with the Bank of Ireland, encourages shops and business to get into the festive mood by decorating their windows with a racing associated theme and be in the running for top prizes.

Punchestown CEO Conor O’Neill said the initiative is very important for local business. “Punchestown expects over 125,000 people to walk through the gates for five days of brilliant sport and atmosphere. “Most local hotels are fully booked so these racegoers will be looking locally for restaurants, pubs, hair and beauty salons, boutiques, golf clubs, transport solutions and all the various service providers that go with a few days at a major sporting event. “Paint The Town Red gives a visual and physical link between the business and the event itself. It’s a visual affiliation.” The new CEO at Punchestown thanked the Bank of Ireland for their valued and continued support of this vital and very important initiative. Bank of Ireland celebrate their third year of sponsorship of Paint The Town Red and have

Conor O'Neill (Punchestown CEO), Clodagh Hughes (Bank of Ireland Manager, Naas), Mayor of Kildare Sean Power, Hilary Cahil (Punchestown) and Mark O'Loughlin (Sanctuary Synthetics, overall winner 2018 at the launch of Bank of Ireland 'Paint The Town Red' event in coordination with Punchestown Festival 2019 and Naas Local Businesses, including Clane, Ballymore Eustace, Blessington, Kilcullen and surrounding communities generously given a cash prize of €1,500 plus the rental of a Punchestown suite for the winning business to entertain clients and staff at

a non-festival race day. Finalists will be posted on social media on Friday April 26, in advance of the festival launch on Tuesday, April 30.

Elizabeth Deegan(Elizabeths Hair Salon), Bryan Phelan(Brick Bear Hollywoor Originals) and Gail Kinsella(Jenny Vander Vintage) with Galloping Gertie the doll at the Bank of Ireland 'Paint The Town Red' launch. PICTURES: MICHAEL DONNELLY

LEINSTER LEADER

Tuesday, April 23, 2019 www.leinsterleader.ie

Home me Heating Heat Oil Off Offer for Kildare K Residen ents Kildare

FR REEPHONE 1800 788 777 before 6pm on Monday, 29th April 2019 and quote ‘TEXOIL KILDARE’ to avail of this offer © 2019 Valero Energy (Ireland) Limited. All rights reserved. TEXACO, TEXOIL and the Star T Logo are registered trademarks owned by Chevron Intellectual Property LLC. Used with permission.

LEINSTER LEADER

www.leinsterleader.ie Tuesday, April 23, 2019

PUNCHESTOWN FESTIVAL, APRIL 30-MAY 4, 2019

Newbridge native, and book maker, Colm White, on racing, past, present, future

A lifetime in the racing game Tommy Callaghan

familiar face at race meetings throughout the length and breadth of the country is Newbridge native Colm White. Colm's involvement in racing and the betting business goes back a long way, in fact when he began 'clerking' at Newbridge Dog Track for his older brother Des, in 1980. From a well known Newbridge family, Colm was reared on the Naas Road in a family steeped in racing. His late dad, Dickie, a member of the successful Sarsfields team of 1945, had a bookie office on the Main Street, and another in George's Street; he died in 1977 when Colm was just 13, the office was bought by Dickie's brother, the late Paddy 'Boiler' White, well know character in the GAA (Sarsfields and Kildare) and the bookmaking game. Colm's mam, Bridget (Fitzgerald) who died in 1994, was born and raised in Ballymany Stud where HRI Headquarters is now situated ; Colm has two sisters, Catherine and Maureen. while his uncle, James was stud groom taken in the Shergar kidnapping; another uncle, Tom, was headman with Paddy 'Darkie' Prendergast and later with his brother Kevin. Colm is a one man band, with no connection to any of the multiples; he along with another well known local layer, Darragh Fitzpatrick, sponsored the €100,000 Naas November Handicap last year, something that Colin says “we got a lot of

Love of meetings such as Thyests Day, a throwback to what racing used to be with huge crowds Colm White, Bookmaker

gravitas out of; something different but we were very happy with that venture I have to say.” Colm has seen many, many changes down the years; and in recent times, the fall off in attendances is something that he feels there maybe no quick fix for. “These days you have the various festivals, along with the seven or eight big days but Irish people have become very pickie as to what we like to do, regardless of what the sport is, but I feel those in authority need to create an image that makes racing the place to be on any given day such as the Friday or Saturday at Punchestown. “You go to Punchestown earlier in the week of the Festival and there will be good crowds, no doubt, but a lot of them are invited guests.” Colm's love of meetings such as the Thyests Day at Gowran Park, is a throwback to what racing used to be but one that still attracts huge crowds. “People look forward to that meeting a couple of months before it. Part of the old tradition when I was growing up, racing on a Thursday, I used to mitch off school and head to Clonmel or to Thurles or where ever; but those days are gone. “Remember back then drapery shops and publicans had a half day on a Wednesday or a Thursday; racing was very much publican and farmer orientated, but racing would be black with people; mid-week racing has really suffered and the turnover has gone very much Internet based, not even betting shop based but sure these days every young one and young lad has a Paddy Power app.” In one respect Paddy Power has taken the stigma away from gambling, they have created what I call 'social' gambling; sitting at home at night, maybe looking at a game between United and City and one asks who do you think will score first? I think so-and-so, comes the reply. Sure we'll have a tenner on that says his pal. It's not seen as gambling, just a bit of fun, and it's great if it stays at that but, adds Colm I have seen some absolute horror stories through gambling. “No matter what a fella has, say €50 or €100 in his pocket heading off to a meeting and if he brings

Ever present at today's race meetings, Newbridge native, Colm White home half of that, less or more, it matters not, that is what he had to spend on the day; he enjoyed his day's racing; no harm done and that in my opinion is the only way to go racing.” Interesting Colm says there are now as few as 26 or 27 bookies working at meetings on a regular basis, but we feel we offer a very viable and competitive product; if you are at the races you will most often get better value from a strong, reputable bookmaker than you will in the offices; 3/1 in the offices will always be 7/2 on the track and if you are betting with a guy regularly, he knows you, and you know him, you can always say, if for instance you are betting on a 6/4 fav, say “sure you'll give me 2s, I was only going to have a score on it, sure give me two score; on course bookmakers need to promote that side of things a lot better than they do at the minute” he adds. Colm confirmed that the

We feel we offer a very viable and competitive product at meetings, with the best odds Colm White Bookmaker

bookmaking association is working with HRI with new initiatives to help promote the game “but you know, with the population of Ireland, there is just too much racing in Ireland.” And the Newbridge man has some very strong thoughts on how racing is being promoted, or, as he implies, not being promoted. “The big thing that is underpinning racing these days is the Media Rights money and I don't think they are concentrating as strongly as they have in previous times in trying to attract more people to racing, due to the fact they have the guarantee of money for the Media Rights. “The Irish Racing Calendar has changed, for example you had a Punchestown meeting on a Monday not too long ago and a Fairyhouse meeting on a Tuesday, they were traditionally Wednesday and Thursday meetings but co-incidentally Racing TV had no meeting to show those two days (Monday and Tuesday) and they filled it. “The same happened at a recent Clonmel meeting on a Tuesday, again, normally a Thursday meeting but again there was no racing to show on the Tuesday so Clonmel filled in.” In other words, added Colm, “ Irish meetings have been fitted in to suit the TV adding, the old saying springs to mind, he who pays

the piper calls the tune.” There is, however, more to Colm White that simply standing at race meetings as over the years he has been, and continues to be involved, in breeding and owning horses, both singularly and with friends. “Like anyone involved in that end of the game, I have been lucky and unlucky, you have to take the ups with the downs but we have had our fair share of good fortune. I am also involved in pin-hooking (buying foals and selling as yearlings) and we have had some success there also. Many winners? “Yes, we have had a few such as Belle.Chose, Gandalf, Caribelle and Hello Man. Gandalf won in Kempton (got a bit of a touch on that one) Hayley Turner rode him;

decent horse. Among the syndicate winners we had were Connacht Council and Lightening Thief. “Connacht Council, trained by Willie McCreery, and we had a couple of football legends involved including Willie, along with Johnny Tobin of Galway; Dickie Dunne who played with Clane and a few others.” Good days and bad days racing? “As a bookmaker you have to take the long view; the good with the bad, you can't let it get in on you; I wouldn't be from the traditional school of bookmakers, I do a fair bit of home work; a fair bit of studying. I like to pick races that I thing we (layers) have a chance of outsiders winning and then other races I play it fairly close to my chest. “I watch a lot of racing videos; for the likes of Punchestown I could spend four or five hours the night before, getting into my head how I think certain races might develop; certain types of races as a bookie you like to work on, you like to be busy; other types of races you just play it a little bit tighter.” In ten or fifteen years where do you see racing and especially, bookmaking? “Racing will always be there because it is driven by very, very wealthy entities; Michael O'Leary, Rich Richie and Andrew and Graham Wylie, and we all know the big names on the flat side of things. “As regards to bookmakers I think we will be down to possibly 12 bookies standing regularly; even when the Curragh reopens in a few weeks, we will probably only have about 25 ot 26 layers.” But regardless of what happens, you can rest assured Colm White will be one of them!

LEINSTER LEADER

Tuesday, April 23, 2019 www.leinsterleader.ie

att Punchestown P h t Browse the new collections from our exclusive lifestyle brands including Fairfax & Favor, Welligogs, Hicks & Brown & much more. Punchestown Festival Shopping Village, 30th April to 4th May. Browse the range ahead of your visit at www.redmillsstore.ie

RED MILLS • CILLIN HILL • KILKENNY Shop online at redmillsstore.ie

LEINSTER LEADER

www.leinsterleader.ie Tuesday, April 23, 2019

winning... ...for over ﬁve decades

*Dates/Times correct at time of press. Source punchestown.com

LEINSTER LEADER

Tuesday, April 23, 2019 www.leinsterleader.ie

Friday 3rd May BETDAQ Champion Hurdle Day

03 . 05 . 2019 16.55

The Hanlon Concrete Irish EBF Mares Handicap Steeplechase

045 860149 | hanlonconcrete.ie Lowtown, Robertstown, Naas, Co Kildare, W91 TFN1.

LEINSTER LEADER

www.leinsterleader.ie Tuesday, April 23, 2019

PUNCHESTOWN FESTIVAL, APRIL 30-MAY 4, 2019

Gold Cup winner in waiting ...

Kemboy, the horse that could light up Punchestown

Justin Kelly

unchestown has birthed many great champions over the years, with the likes of Faugheen and Hurricane Fly making their hurdles debuts at the track.

Much of the talk this year centres on the staying chase grade but the trainer of both those champions, Willie Mullins, is once again the principal player. The prospect of Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Al Boum Photo clashing with stablemate Kemboy is a mouth-watering one for racing fans, but also for Mullins, who waited a long time to claim his first Gold Cup success. He is now presented with a feast on the three-mile front. Al Boum Photo will be the horse arriving with all the pageantry, the big announcement and the Gold Cup emblazoned rug across his back as he's led around the parade ring. However, Kemboy may in fact upstage him on the track because after a mixed year, his star rose dramatically at Aintree. He is somewhat of an enigma; he was a moderate performer over hurdles, his best run coming at Cheltenham when fifth in the 2017 Neptune, a race that failed to turn up any serious prospects. He was seventh a few weeks later at Punchestown and switched to fences without much fanfare. He finished second to Sutton Place on his chase debut at Fairyhouse and followed that with a win over C'est Jersey at the same track in January 2018. He was then given his chance, as one of very few novices, in the Irish Grand National, again at Fairyhouse. He was waited with by jockey Bryan Cooper but fell at the first fence. Fast-forward 12 months to this year's Cheltenham Gold

Kemboy, seen here with David Mullins on board Cup and the same fate befell him once more as he unseated David Mullins after the first fence. The horse showed his quirks big time as he pulled his head around and took a wicked step as he landed at the base of the fence. As he bounded around the track riderless, Al Boum Photo took the roar of the crowd up the famous hill. Before that race and in the months leading up to Chel-

Al Boum Photo will be arriving with all the pageantry, and the Gold Cup emblazoned rug across his back after Cheltenham

tenham, Kemboy had stepped up to mix it with the big boys after three wins as a novice. He beat Alpha Des Obeaux on his seasonal debut in the Clonmel Oil Chase but put in perhaps the most telling performance in his form book when beating Monalee by more than seven lengths in the Savills Chase in Leopardstown at Christmas. He wasn't the favourite on either occasion. Kemboy won with quite a bit more in hand that day and was going away from the field with every stride the further they went. Monalee is a good yardstick to use because when he stays on his feet, he always runs his race and so measurements can be taken. While it's unfair to judge Al Boum Photo on his novice form, especially given the fact he is now a Gold Cup winner, he was beaten by Monalee in February last

year. Kemboy's Cheltenham collapse showed the frail side of his temperament, but his retrieval job at Aintree at the beginning of April revealed the prodigious side. Just like his Savills Chase win, he tanked along throughout the race while Ruby Walsh kept his hands tight behind his neck. Many a top chaser, including Clan Des Obeaux and Bristol De Mai, faltered behind and

Kemboy's Cheltenham collapse showed frail side of his temperament; his retrieval at Aintree revealed the prodigious side

after the last, he pulled away at a staggering pace after a gruelling three miles. Ruby didn't have to shake him up until after the last that day but with that performance he proved he is an out and out stayer. The further they went, the better he got as he dictated the pace up front. Anytime he's run a trip above three miles and stayed on his feet, he's won. The two other occasions were the Irish Grand National and Cheltenham Gold Cup. He also cemented his form here at Punchestown last year when he rounded out his novice season with a comfortable five-length success over A-Rated. The way in which he travelled into the race at ease, pinged the last fence and devoured the ground up to the line was beyond impressive. Kemboy has so often been the bridesmaid, at some points even a tragic one in

the case of his spills at Fairyhouse and Cheltenham. He's rarely headed the betting market and has often been the so-called Mullins seconds-string. However, if he takes his chance, his date with the Punchestown Gold Cup this year could begin a sweep of the staying chasing division next season. The Cheltenham centrepiece is the carrot at the end of it all in March 2020.

If Kemboy takes his chance in the Punchestown Gold Cup this year, the carrot at the end of 2020 could be the Gold Cup in Cheltenham

LEINSTER LEADER

Tuesday, April 23, 2019 www.leinsterleader.ie

Renault ZOE

The only long range EV under €25,000

Renault – No.1 for Electric Vehicles in Europe AND €500 Cashback Book a 24-hour test drive at your local Renault dealer or visit renault.ie Model shown: ZOE Dynamique Nav R110 Z.E. 40, starting RRP €27,790. Renault ZOE WLTP range up to 317km depending on version. Model shown WLTP range 300km.

JOE MALLON MOTORS Sallins Road, Naas, Co. Kildar Tel 045 897675 www.joemallonmotors.ie

JOE MALLON MOTORS Portlaoise Abbeyleix Road, Portlaoise, Co. Laois Tel (057) 866 5800 www.joemallonportlaoise.ie

Book a test drive

LEINSTER LEADER

www.leinsterleader.ie Tuesday, April 23, 2019

PUNCHESTOWN FESTIVAL, APRIL 30-MAY 4, 2019

He has seen the good times and the not so good times

Brassil back in the big time

Robert Catterson

en years ago, Martin Brassil was on the crest of a wave. In the three previous seasons, he’d bagged both the Irish and English Grand Nationals with Numbersixvalverde and his star two mile chaser Nickname was winning all around him on the graded scene. Life couldn’t have been much better. Since then, success on the racecourse hasn’t been quite as frequent and in fact, one may have wondered if the Curragh-based handler might have been on the verge of calling it quits. Just 37 winners in a ten years period would be more than enough for most trainers to try their hand at something else. For Martin though, that was never an option and next week, he heads into the Punchestown Festival with one of the most promising National Hunt horses in training. “I wouldn’t be one for throwing in the towel. I’d be a bit like a dog with a bone, I wouldn’t be inclined to give it away too easy,” says Martin. “The recession came at a really wrong time for a lot of trainers and I’d say all trainers were affected by it. The smaller trainers would have been affected most though. Luckily, my patience has paid off and thankfully Sean and Bernardine Mulryan didn’t forget when they started back into the Bloodstock game again. They gave me a few horses to train and it proves that loyalty goes a long way in racing.” At last year’s Punchestown Festival, City Island made his racecourse debut and less than a year later, he’s now in the Cheltenham Festival history books but Martin recalls how the dream all started. “Sean and Bernardine were getting back into horses and they asked Paddy Aspell (Sean’s Racing Manager) and myself to buy a few horses at the Landrover Sales and the Derby Sales. We bought a few

Trainer Martin Brassil with Aintree Grand National winner Numbersixvalerde's homecoming at Dunmurray, Curragh store horses and City Island was one of them. Heading into his first run at Punchestown last year, he had started to show that he was good and he went on to finish second. At the time, I probably couldn’t have envisaged what he’s done in less than a year,” reflects Martin. It wasn’t long before the son of Court Cave opened his account and it was onwards and upwards from there onwards. “He kept on improving from race to race and he went back to Punchestown a couple of weeks after the festival and won. He got disqualified winning his maiden hurdle at Galway. He was unlucky to lose that race but it was just one of those things.” Two subsequent Cheltenham Festival novice hurdle winners went to Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting last December and won. Both on St Stephens’ Day too. The first was Klassical Dream and just 30 minutes later, City Island also won. “After he won at Leopardstown, we knew we had no ordinary horse on our hands. But he still had to show more improvement. We probably couldn’t have learned a whole lot from the Naas race as it wasn’t a graded race or anything like that. It was just a novice

Just 37 winners in a ten years period would be more than enough for most trainers to try their hand at something else. For Martin though, that was never an option

hurdle and it was restricted to sales horses but it was a lovely confidence booster for him again after Leopardstown. He was going to Cheltenham in fair mental strength and his confidence was on a high .” That meant next stop was the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle on the second Wednesday of March. Neither Sean Mulryan nor Martin Brassil had ever tasted Cheltenham Festival success before. So had the trainer any doubts about the task ahead? “The nerves weren’t too bad. I didn’t over think it too much as I kept telling myself the fact that I was able to train a Grand National winner, everything else was secondary after that.” The Cheltenham race was also sponsored by City Island’s owner so was this always the plan? “No, it just so happened that his best trip is two and a half miles. It was fortunate they happened to be sponsoring it and it was an added bonus that Sean was involved. There were plenty of horses fancied in the race but he was the least exposed horse. He hadn’t ran in a graded hurdle race up to then. We were going there on trust but I just felt I had a little bit more to get from him, even from Naas, so

whether that was going to be good enough or not, we were only ever going to find out in one place.” With just one flight to jump, only Champ stood in the way of a perfectly executed plan. So what was going on inside the trainer’s mind at that time? “I was glad there was a hill to climb because I know stamina is his forte whereas Champ had won around flat tracks. Champ is a talented horse too and you could probably run that race again and get a different result.” So back in the big time but how did that feel? “If you’re involved in any of those big races, you get a great buzz from them but none more so than the Grand National. It’s lovely to have a horse that was going to be competitive in Cheltenham and it’s great when they go on and win. Sean and Bernardine got a great thrill out of Cheltenham and it was great that all of their family was with them on the day. It was equally good that both mine and Deirdre’s families, and our kids, were there too. It was a great celebration .But the National will always be the high point.” The next task for City Island is another Grade 1 on Friday week at his connections’ home festival. Are the vibes all positive?

“I’m happy with him. He’s a very straight forward horse to train and he’s recovered from the race well and freshened up quickly. He’s ready to go to battle again,” It will be far from just City Island however which will represent Martin Brassil at next week’s National Hunt festival as he has a fine back-up team to go to war with. “Whatsa felaoodo is also owned by Sean and Bernardine as well and he has a couple of options. He could run in the Red Mills Auction Novice Hurdle Final or wait for the Ballymore Handicap Hurdle on the Saturday. He’d have a light weight in that race if he got in. Take Revenge might run in the novice hurdle on Wednesday and then there’s You Raise Me Up as well. He ran at the Punchestown Festival last year and he’s since won a bumper in Galway. He might go for the winner’s bumper on Thursday. It won’t be just about City Island next week but he’s probably the horse you’d have most hope for,” adds Martin So like all true legends of the turf, it’s hard to keep a good man down. Anothe r win for City Island next week and Martin Brassil will have plenty of more big days to look forward to.

Tuesday, April 23, 2019 www.leinsterleader.ie

LEINSTER LEADER

www.leinsterleader.ie Tuesday, April 23, 2019

PUNCHESTOWN FESTIVAL, APRIL 30-MAY 4, 2019

Road to redemption

Samcro's stardust lingers on Justin Kelly

his season, we've seen the oncebilled 'monster' Samcro beaten in three successive starts, dampening the whispers of greatness. For a horse that went eight races unbeaten and captured Cheltenham glory in 2018, the elusive winning post is now a riband of redemption. There was something magical about Samcro's debut at Punchestown in 2016. Kildare was shrouded in a thick fog but racing went ahead, and from the silvery shadows of that November day, an enigma emerged. Samcro was far from an unknown entity beforehand having won a point-to-point at Monksgrange seven months earlier for trainer Colin Bowe, a race in which a horse called Elegant Escape, 6th in the 2019 Gold Cup, finished a close second for one Gordon Elliott. Not long after, the tall frame of Samcro was Meath-bound to take up residence at Elliott's yard where he joined a convoy of horses with huge potential. In that alone, he was not unique, but when he was eventually seen on a track again at Punchestown, that complexion changed when a solitary figure bounded from the murky air and past the winning post. We had seen little of his debut on a proper racetrack thanks to the elements but it announced his arrival as a top prospect with a certain mystique. He had chased the leaders with the master Jamie Codd on his back before pulling clear and winning comfortably from Arctic Light. He ran another national hunt flat race before the close of 2016 and won his sole flat start in 2017 by 17 lengths at Fairyhouse; a hurdles campaign beckoned. Once again it was back to Punchestown for the first sight of this wonderhorse

Samcro, ridden by Jack Kennedy wins at Cheltenham, March 2018. Picture: Grossick Racing Photography tackling timber in October 2017 and it was unsurprisingly spectacular. There had been a great deal of expection; the market spoke volumes with Samcro going off a 1/5 favourite. He settled well in third spot and skipped over his obstacles, ears pricked, as he stuck his head out to devour every inch of Punchestown's rolling expanse. Between the third and second last flights, he ranged up to leader Jack Dillinger before snatching slightly left over the penultimate obstacle, given a mere moment of concern. Jockey Jack Kennedy briefly snapped his elbows in the saddle to shake Samcro up and he responded. The horse cruised around the final bend as Ruby Walsh wrestled with Jack Dillinger to keep up, albeit it in vain. While still on the bridle and with Jack Kennedy glancing at the disappearing field over his shoulder, Samcro popped the last and stormed to a 15-length victory. He followed that with two facile wins, including a five-length dismissal of subsequent Arkle winner Duc Des Genievres at Leoparstown in February 2018. Cheltenham talk began with the Ballymore decided as the target, setting up a

There was something magical about Samcro's debut at Punchestown in 2016 ... and from the silvery shadows of that foggy November day, an enigma emerged

match with Willie Mullins' Next Destination, himself a three-time winner in the lead-up. Samcro travelled well again on the biggest stage and eased into a lead before the last hurdle. While he may have been guilty of idling in front after the last, he saw out the hill well to beat English challenger Black Op and the fast-finishing Next Destination. The race was his eighth win on the trot. The image of Jack Kennedy raising the Irish flag aloft on Samcro's back is iconic. It was not envisaged that Punchestown 2018 would be the stumbling block and was instead seen as somewhat of a procession for Samcro to confirm his prowess on home soil. He was sent off the 5/6 favourite for the Punchestown Champion Hurdle and was closing menacingly on the leaders when he fell at the third last. Cheltenham Champion Hurdle runner-up Melon came down at the same flight with Supasundae picking up the pieces to win amidst sighs from the crowd. It was originally thought he would go chasing for the 2018/19 campaign but Gigginstown said “a little setback” meant he was remaining over hurdles and

indeed with that, he was battling with reigning champion Buveur D'Air for ante-post favourtism for the 2019 Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham. He appeared to come out of the Punchestown race and fall without injury but when he returned for the new season at Down Royal in November, all was not well. He looked to be cruising to victory three from home but Jack Kennedy's rummaging in the saddle sparked concern before the second last and as they landed, outsider Bedrock passed him. The superstar had been turned over. Without a real reason for the defeat, talk turned to the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle. Down Royal was dismissed as a race in which Samcro blew off the cobwebs and that he was primed to tackle Buveur D'Air in Newcastle. It was the race many expected in the Champion Hurdle some months later, but once again Samcro misfired and went down by eight lengths to Nicky Henderson's star. Most worryingly of all, Samcro went on to finish fifth of six runners in a race won by Sharjah at Leopardstown in December. The sight of Samcro looming up to the

lead before the last flight lifted the hearts of racing fans, but seconds later, the sight of him funnelling back through the field and paddling hard at the line sank them. A deep lung infection was blamed and the trip to Cheltenham was off. The season of three defeats is the polar opposite of a year previous when he swept all before him. His absence at Cheltenham took some of the gloss off of a great meeting, and his sudden demise leaves him wallowing in the realm of 'what might have been.' The boundless potential first displayed in the fog of Punchestown has drifted out of sight and yet the horse is a mystery yet to full unravel. And that brings us here to yet another Punchestown festival, the scene of Samcro's most glorious highs and crushing low of 12 months ago. He may run here or go to Fairyhouse for a Grade 2 hurdle for a recovery mission – still box office. Ultimately, this horse is set for a chase career, possibly next season, where that mystique will go before him. One thing is for sure; he is fascinating, and the world will be watching.

Tuesday, April 23, 2019 www.leinsterleader.ie

LEINSTER LEADER

www.leinsterleader.ie Tuesday, April 23, 2019

PUNCHESTOWN FESTIVAL, APRIL 30-MAY 4, 2019

Everything points to another bumper Punchestown for Willie Mullins

Top 'layer' puts champ trainer in driving seat

Robert Catterson

F the early betting on some of next week’s main races are anything to go by, it could be a long week for those wanting to take on Willie Mullins.

As per usual, Paddy Power are first up with prices for many of next week’s Grade 1 races and those races have all got one thing in common –the champion trainer is most likely to win the lot. Starting with Tuesday’s action, in all three Grade 1 races, Willie Mullins is hugely prominent. Klassical Dream will be the first odds-on favourite of the week and the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner is 10/11 with the major bookmaker to add to his three wins this season. The fact that Mullins has run most of his star novice hurdlers in this race in the past, Hurricane Fly, Faugheen and Douvan to name just three, this race would look the logical step for the five-year-old rather than the step up to 2m4f later in the week. Given what he’s achieved so far, Klassical Dream will be the first of many multiples on Tuesday and you’d be surprised if he didn’t oblige. Mullins is responsible for 12 of the 20 entries in that race too. The Boylesports Champion Chase might be a little more open on the day but as it stands, Powers have put in Min at 4/5 on the back of his performance in the Melling Chase at Aintree. The key to Min’s price is what shows up against him. The next five in the betting are all stablemates in Un De Sceaux (4/1), Footpad (6/1),

Douvan (8/1), Cadmium (8/1) and Great Field (8/1). A Mullins 1-2-3 will be short odds here and if you’re in the know, then there’s value to be had with any of the last three named horses. The betting says Min but if Mullins decides to declare his sextet, or even most of them, then Min will undoubtedly be trading at odds against on the day. Tuesday’s last Grade 1 is the Dooley Insurance Novice Chase and here, Delta Work is sure to be horse to beat. Powers certainly think so with an initial quote of 11/10 despite his RSA Chase defeat. He’s definitely worth a second chance and he’s probably at the right price. Much will depend on how some horses come out of Fairyhouse over the weekend but this is a race which will cut up quite a bit and we could be left with a small field. Vindication (8/1), which should be suited by the step up in trip here, might be value at the prices. The Tuesday Hot-Pot Treble of Klassical Dream, Min and Delta Work is just short of 7/1, which is worth backing right now. Wednesday’s Grade 1 Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle will be quite competitive and Powers have gone with Cheltenham form here in making Minella Indo (10/3) favourite ahead of Allaho (4/1) and Commander Of Fleet (5/1). The early market mover has been Carefully Selected, which had a narrow escape at Limerick on his belated seasonal reappearance but has been all the rage from 10/1 into 6/1. Given that there is no other suitable race at his preferred distance over the five days, this would appear to be his main target. Battleoverdoyen (16/1) might be value given the confidence behind him going into Cheltenham while Derrinross (25/1) is another for the shortlist if you’re concentrating on stamina. It’s a tidy race where the market could be the key on the day. The race of the week is always the Punchestown

Gold Cup and that will be no different this year. Despite being the Cheltenham Gold Cup king, Powers have made Kemboy (13/8) marginal favourite over Al Boum Photo (7/4). Ruby’s decision will have a huge bearing on the market here and one wonders will Mullins opt to keep Paul Townend on the Cheltenham champ. Don’t forget last year’s winner in Bellshill (9/2) either as if you can forgive him his Cheltenham blip, he’s up there with his two stable companions. At the prices, he’s the value bet. One thing for sure, Willie Mullins has the big race of the week by the ‘short and curlys’. The two mile novice chase division hasn’t been hugely competitive this season and while Duc De Genievres (3/1) might go into the Ryanair Chase with the best form in

Min, and Ruby Walsh, one of many of Willie Mullins' hot pots for next week's Festival

the book, his stable companion Chacun Pour Soi (6/1) goes there with arguably the most potential. His scintillating win at Naas last month was nothing short of spectacular and if he lines up here, he’ll be closer to a 6/4 shot than 6/1. Another for Mullins. What the champion trainer runs in the Allana Homes Champion Novice Hurdle, over 2m4f, will be important for the market but there’s no doubt City Island, Power’s current 7/4 favourite, will be the horse to beat. His Cheltenham triumph looks even better now after Champ’s win at Aintree and it’s very hard to see him get-

ting beaten. Indeed, if he was trained by Mullins, he’d be close to odds-on right now. The last race to come under scrutiny from a betting perspective is the AES Champion Four-Year-Old Hurdle, a race Mullins may not win if the market is correct. Nicky Henderson is responsible for the favourite in Fusil Raffles (7/4) but given that a setback ruled him out of Cheltenham and Aintree, he may not be a certain runner. That would mean, from a betting angle, that Coeur Sublime (3/1) is a tad bigger than he should be right now. That’s eight of the Grade 1 races next week already priced up and if the market is

right, Willie Mullins will win at least four of those. Remember, we haven’t even touched on Friday’s Punchestown Champion Hurdle and Saturday’s Annie Power Mares Champion Hurdle, two races in which he’s likely to saddle the favourites. So come next Saturday, many things could happen courtesy of Willie Mullins. He’s likely to end the season with 200 winners plus while of the 12 Grade 1 races, he’s short odds to win more of those than anybody else. To make it worse from a bookmakers’ point of view, they’re all likely to be readhot favourites too.

The Asscoaition Of Irish Racecourses presenting a cheque for €123,000 to Irish Injured Jockeys representatives, Ruby Walsh, Shane Foley and Michael Higgins, which they have agreed to donate for the next three years. Picture: .carolinenorris.ie

Tuesday, April 23, 2019 www.leinsterleader.ie

LEINSTER LEADER

www.leinsterleader.ie Tuesday, April 23, 2019

PUNCHESTOWN FESTIVAL, APRIL 30-MAY 4, 2019

More than just a racing festival

Shop your heart out at the track

unters heading to the Punchestown Festival this year — which is now just a week away — will be able to browse a fantastic selection of fashion, hats, art and accessories thanks to the racecourse’s partnership with a new local sponsor, the Osprey Hotel.

The centrepiece of the partnership, Osprey Avenue, is a new-look boutique shopping venue with a wonderful selection on offer across all five days of the festival, Tuesday, April 30, to Saturday, May 4. To celebrate their first sponsorship at Punchestown, Osprey Hotel are pulling out all the stops and providing a fantastic week of hospitality and enter-

tainment both in advance of and after racing each day at the four-star venue, located in Devoy Quarter, Naas. New for 2019 is the very appetising Bottomless Bubbles & Brunch hosted in the stylish Herald & Devoy restaurant. This package is priced at €32 per person and can be pre-booked with the hotel. There will be two sittings at 11.30am and 1.30pm each day with a complimentary shuttle bus service to Punchestown. TOP TIPS At 12.30pm from Tuesday to Friday, top jockey Robert ‘Puppy’ Power and BoyleSports’Leon Blanche will be on hand to provide expert tips whilst further onsite attractions at Osprey Hotel, such as the new Gin Garden On Friday, May 3, the Ultimate Festival Finale Party will entertain a full house of festival goers. Guest DJs and

Racegoers will be able to browse a selection of fashion, hats, art and accessories

Janet Creighton, Punchestown and Osprey Hotel's Catherine Bunn get set to shop at Osprey Avenue at the Punchestown festival

the ever popular Manilla Strings will entertain in the lobby while the ticket-only Punchestown Party featuring Poplife, DJ and finger food will take place in the ballroom. Janet Creighton, Punchestown commercial manager welcomed the partnership. “We look forward to welcoming around 130,000 visitors to Punchestown and whilst we can do our best to ensure they have a great day at the track it is our hotel partners that play an intrinsic role by providing top class hospitality before and after racing.”

‘Racing Priest’ statue to be unveiled at festival

Rose B O’Donoghue

he late Fr Sean Breen was revered by racegoers and the racing fraternity in general, and loved by his parishioners in Ballymore Eustace and Eadestown.

Prior to the opening race at Punchestown Festival this year, the official unveiling of a special sculpture dedicated to ‘The Breener’ or the ‘the Racing Priest’ will be held. The opening race, the Kildare Hunt Fr Breen Memorial Race, has been dedicated to

the late Fr Sean Breen in recent years, but this year marks a really special memoriam to the iconic figure in Irish Racing. A life-size sculpture of Fr Breen, seated on bench outside the weigh room, with a racecard in one hand, and his other hand raised in salutation, will be officially unveiled. The statue was designed by Emma McDermott, formerly from Dunlavin, a daughter of Mick and Anne McDermott. Ballymore Eustace parishoner Mary Healy Dooley, who was one of the committee behind the statue, was high in praise of the artist’s work and attention to detail. “Emma put so much thought and detail into this work,” said Mary “It’s amazing. She has, we feel, captured the essence of the late Fr Sean and his rapport with Irish racing. The sculpture shows Fr Sean with hand raised — the interpretation is immense, is he waving good luck to jockeys entering the weigh room; or waving to parishioners he recognises, at

children enjoying the entertainment.” “Bishop Denis Nulty, Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, who knew Fr Sean well, will perform the official unveiling. We’d love to see friends and fellow racing punters — especially those in Ballymore Eustace and Eadestown (who may have availed of his tips from the pulpit!) attend on Tuesday”. A committee of people made up of connections to his former parish and the racecourse formed months ago to raise funding for this unique memoriam. The sculpture unveiling ceremony will be held at around 2.30pm on Tuesday, May 1, at the racecourse. “The total cost of this project is €40,000 and we are nearly there,” continued Mary. “If anyone would like to donate at this stage, we would be grateful for the final donations/contributions.” Donations can be made to the following bank account: Bank of Ireland, Naas

MAIN PICTURE: The sculpture of the late Fr Sean Breen (inset), which will be unveiled at this year’s Punchestown Racing Festival Account Name: Fr Sean Breen Statue Fund Account Number: 2378 4397 Sort Code: 90 12 39. Al-

ternatively, you can contact any of the following Friends of the Late Fr Sean Breen: Valerie Osbourne: 086 2585452; David

Mongey: 085 2553255; Pat Murphy, Ballymore Eustace: 086 2566176, or Mary Healy Dooley at 086 3800117.

LEINSTER LEADER

Tuesday, April 23, 2019 www.leinsterleader.ie

Crossings Motor Centre | 045 897589 | www.crossings.ie THE NE W HYB R I D

ALL NEW, SELF CHARGING HYBRIDS3

YRS

FREE

SERVICING AS STANDARD

Crossings Dedicated Service and Parts Department Offers

All New Rav4

Corolla Saloon

Corolla Hatchback

LEINSTER LEADER

PUNCHESTOWN FESTIVAL, APRIL 30-MAY 4, 2019

www.leinsterleader.ie Tuesday, April 23, 2019

When it was all over and the dust settled ...

Mixed fortunes at the 2018 Festival Justin Kelly

unchestown is the swansong of the national hunt season. As the thousands of racegoers head back out the gates, scrunched up betting slips dot the ring, trainers reflect on the season that's been, talk will already have turned to 2020.

The Punchestown winners form a big part of the conversation. Perhaps the Punchestown Champion Hurdle winner will win the Cheltenham equivalent, or the Punchestown Gold Cup has given rise to a new staying star. It can go either way, however, as we know, racing is anything but dependable. 2018 gave us some incredible moments of drama; from Samcro and Melon falling at the same flight in the Champion Hurdle, to Al Boum Photo and Paul Townend darting out through the wings of the final fence in the Champion Novice Chase. Cadmium was one of the most impressive winners at last year's festival, taking the Pigsback.com Handicap Chase by eight legnths from Coeur Joyeux. One of Willie Mullins' lesser lights, Cadmium has been well travelled in the 12 months since, taking in stops at Fairyhouse, Naas, Navan, Leopardstown, Roscommon, Galway, Punchestown on two occasions, and of course Aintree most recently of all. He's won four of those ten starts and run into some good ones along the way including RSA third Delta Work and fellow Aintree scorer Ornua. He's won two of four starts this season

after a hefty 2017/18 campaign, and his most recent win was by far his most impressive. He took on the Topham Chase over the Grand National fences, going on from the second to dictate the pace and storm home by six lengths. Willie was quick to dismiss suggestions he could be a Grand National horse in 2020, citing the fact that he ran too freely out in front, but he could be proven wrong in time. Nevertheless, Cadmium will be a player in the middle-distance sphere next year with Cheltenham and Aintree most likely on the radar again. One horse that definitely likes the Grand National fences and trip is Magic of Light, last seen chasing home Tiger Roll in the Aintree showpiece, a first-time runner in the race for trainer Jessica Harrington. This time last year, Magic of Light won the mare's handicap at Punchestown over 2m 5f and following a sixmonth break, returned with a decent third in the Troytown over three miles in November. The beautiful big mare kept on well that day and Jessica Harrington, who has had some brilliant staying chasers through her hands in recent seasons, not least Sizing John and Our Duke, set her on the road to Aintree. She won two 2M 7F races at Newbury and Ascot over the winter period and began the spring by unseating her rider in a race won by Rathvinden at Fairyhouse at the end of February. She went to Cheltenham and bumped into a few subsequent Grand National rivals in the Ultima Handicap, a race won by Beware The Bear. She finished a credible seventh to cement her credentials for the big one at Aintree. Tiger Roll may have taken all the plaudits after winning back-to-back Grand Nationals but for a mare to chase him all the way to the line in the manner she did was eye-catching.

Still a young horse at just seven years of age, Magic of Light may well be back in Liverpool next year bidding to become the first mare since Nickel Coin in 1951 to win the famous race and who'd put it past her? Footpad had swept all before him in 2018 before arriving at Punchestown, including one of the most impressive Arkle triumphs Cheltenham has ever seen. He went to Cheltenham in 2018 on the back of three perfect performances and duly obliged to dispatch Brain Power by 14 lengths. He came to Punchestown as a superstar and was one of the hottest favourites of the week. Unsurprisingly, he made all and went clear of the field with two to jump. He didn't let up the gallop and cruised over the line for a 12length success. It had been the perfect season. He was a 4/9 favourite on his return in the Poplar Square Chase at Naas in November. Another brilliant season beckoned but he over-reached and fell at the last fence, handing Saint Calvados, a horse Footpad had beaten by 53 lengths in the Arkle, a handy victory. In truth, Footpad was backpaddling that day and may well have been beaten into third regardless. The retrieval mission was going to plan at Leopardstown over Christmas when Footpad landed after the last fence with a three-length advantage. Ruby Walsh asked for an effort and Footpad obliged and looked to be heading back to the winner's enclosure before veteran Simply Ned reeled him in and nailed him on the line. The season was unravelling but it completely fell apart at Cheltenham when Footpad looked a shadow of his former self in the Ryanair. He settled well and got around but when he crossed the finish line the roar of the crowd had dissipated. He was 26 lengths behind the winner, Frodon. The jury is out now on Footpad as his 2019 season tails off.

The ever popular Kildare Huntsmen, leading in the winners at the Punchestown Festivals down the years

Punchestown began watering the course some three weeks before next week's Festival, ensuring the going is right for week

LEINSTER LEADER

Tuesday, April 23, 2019 www.leinsterleader.ie

Sale

Huge Savings on Sofas, Dining, Bedroom and Accessories!

Scott

2.5 Seater Leather Sofa

Now Only

€1399 Save €1000 (or €93.27 per month APR 0%)

EZ LIVING INTERIORS SANDYFORD: The Boulevard, Sandyford, 18, Dublin Mon: 9.30-18.00, Tue: 9.30-18.00, Wed: 9.30-18.00 Thurs: 9.30-20.00, Fri: 9.30-20.00, Sat 9.30-18.00 Sun:12.00-18.00, Bank Hol: 12.00- 18.00

EZ LIVING INTERIORS NAAS: Globe Retail Park, Naas, Kildare Mon: 9.30-18.00, Tue: 9.30-18.00, Wed: 9.30-18.00 Thurs: 9.30-20.00, Fri: 9.30-20.00, Sat 9.30-18.00 Sun:12.00-18.00, Bank Hol: 12.00- 18.00

www.ezlivinginteriors.com *20% Deposit & Balance Over 12 Months. Minimum Spend Of €500 Applies. 0% APR Finance

LEINSTER LEADER

PUNCHESTOWN FESTIVAL, APRIL 30-MAY 4, 2019

www.leinsterleader.ie Tuesday, April 23, 2019

Tartan could be a trend at Punchestown Sarah Peppard

adies Day is certainly a big highlight of any racing festival and if this year’s Cheltenham festival is anything to go by style-wise, I think tartan could be a trend we see at Punchestown racecourse. I also notcied a lot of tweed blazers and skirts. Irish model Vogue Williams, who was a judge at this year’s Cheltenham races, nailed the look wearing a red tartan Holland Cooper Floor Length Trench coat embellished with gold buttons, teaming it with a black hat and boots. Not your typical race outfit, you might think. But it worked because it was different, eye-catching and chic. And that’s the key, in my eyes, as well as comfort. And of course, dressing appropriately for the unpredictable Irish weather! But if tartan doesn’t take your fancy, you can never go wrong with a simple bodycon teamed with a dressy coat, a flattering jumpsuit or a tailored suit. The suit trend was very popular at Punchestown last year, and I think it's a trend that is here to stay. And you don't have to break the bank to stand out either. Many high-street stores like Zara, Bershka, H&M, River Island all have affordable race wear. Vogue also impressed at Aintree Racecourse earlier this month wearing a stunning and sophisticated white jumpsuit from Amanda Wakeley and a Holland Cooper hat. “I find there’s always a nasty tone to what the girlies choose to wear to that race meet. Fashion is different for everyone and it’s why I love it so much,” she took to Instagram saying. The Bollinger Best

Dressed Lady at Punchestown for 2018 was Louth woman Eimear Cassidy. Her outfit screamed elegance. She wore a plain navy dress which was bought in a Boutique in Boston, she teamed it with a Suzanne Ryan Millinery hat, and customised Penneys shoes. Print is always a big trend year in year out, with monochrome, polka dots and checkered clothes proving popular for spring/summer 2019. According to Vogue magazine, neutrals are also very in this season. But a pop of colour is always a winner. Clashing colours is something many people are scared of, but one of the daily winners of Punchestown 2018 wore a stunning red dress and teamed it with a pink necklace, belt and shoes. It just worked! Let's not forget about the accessories. Hats and headpieces are a staple of any race outfit. Big, unusual, colorful headpieces are always something that would catch a judges eye. Crown style headpieces are also simple and sophisticated. The Bollinger Best Dressed Lady competition is very popular with racegoers at Punchestown, with a massive prize on the cards. This year’s lucky lady will partake in an elite mission involving James Bond and his favourite champagne. The overall winner of the coveted style competition

will attend an exclusive invitational screening of the highly anticipated 25th James Bond movie in Paris in April 2020. Bollinger is the champagne of choice for the world’s most famous spy. In addition, the lucky lady and a friend will enjoy a money can’t buy trip to the Bollinger Estate and Champagne Libraries, France. This trip includes an overnight stay in the beautiful historic town of Reims, the capital of the Champagne region, Michelin dining and luxury overnight stay in Paris, the City of Light. Of course, a private chauffeur, champagne lunch experience and a year’s supply of Bollinger Champagne are a given. The search for the Bollinger Best Dressed Lady will be held over the first four days of the Punchestown Festival when style scouts will be tasked with finding the most stylish ladies in attendance and selecting a number of finalists each day. Ladies will be directed to the Style Quarter of Festival 2019 situated at the Bollinger Lounge in the Reserved Enclosure. Judging will proceed from 1 pm daily so make sure to be there early in order to make those vital first impressions.

Louth air hostess Eimear Cassidy was the overall Bollinger Best Dressed lady at the 2018 Punchestown festival PICTURE: MICHAEL CHESTER

The daily winner will then progress to the grand final on Ladies’ Day, held on Friday, May 3, 2019.

One of the winners from Punchestown 2018, Helen Murphy from Corka Niamh O'Neill dress and a coat from Marks and Spencers

The tartan coat Vogue Williams wore to the Cheltenham Festival PICTURE: Holland Cooper clothing

LEINSTER LEADER

www.leinsterleader.ie Tuesday, April 23, 2019

PUNCHESTOWN FESTIVAL, APRIL 30-MAY 4, 2019

There is absolutely no race course like Punchestown

Royalty and colour enthuse the press in the 1899 meeting Liam Kenny

here is nothing like a touch of royalty to get the purple prose flowing. Back in the day when Ireland was a part of the United Kingdom the members of the press tent surpassed each other when it came to eulogising the presence of royal personages in their vicinity. And the Punchestown of 120 years ago marked a high point in such adulation for royalty and their elite entourages. The writer for the local paper, Kildare Observer, brought enthusiasm for Punchestown and for royalty to a new level when he enthused: “Our glorious Punches-town that yearly adds to its unique record of successes has initialled the meeting of 1899 with a very big red letter. The presence of Royalty, the prospect of magnificent support, all combined to attract the biggest and most fashionable crowd that has assembled on that world-famed course for many years.” Of course the timing of the meeting in the month of April always meant that meteorological conditions were a big factor for those attending the meeting and especially for the ladies who had to choose a wardrobe that although fashionable would also keep the notorious Punchestown chill at bay. In the early days the calendar dates for Punchestown were set according to an almost liturgical pattern taking place within ten days of Easter. Given that Easter is itself a moveable feast being timed for the first Sunday after the first full-moon following the Spring Equinox it was easy to see that Punchestown could vary in date from early to late April.

And thus it was that in 1899 the then two-day meeting was fixed for the early part of the month. However the Kildare Observer correspondent was sure that the female attendance would find inspiration even if the conditions proved challenging. He commented that the fixture of the meeting for so early a date in April might rob it of its fashionable and picturesque appearance “as cold weather is not generally conducive to smart dressing”. However help was at hand in terms of the ingenuity of the

While the local press could be forgiven for losing objectivity in its ardour for the local carnival that is Punchestown, it was clear that the visiting press were equally enamoured with the festivities surrounding the east Kildare track. A correspondent for the Daily Telegraph stated: “There is only one Punchestown, as there is only one Ascot or Epsom.” His recollections of the Punchestown of 1899 began twenty miles away at Kingsbridge (now Heuston) rail station where the multitude of

station to the course, is but a score of miles from the capital, the travelling was carried out at a leisurely rate of speed, which if somewhat trying to the patience, at least enabled one to fully view the verdant countryside we passed through.” His word picture of the north Kildare countryside sketched out a scene which was pastoral and picturesque: “How bright and fresh it all looked … yellow gorse primroses, carpeted seft, green meadowland, broken up fancifully with the

cort of outriders and mounted constables. The Telegraph writer was clearly warming to the charms of the Irish countryside as he again deployed the superlatives when he eventually took his place on the stand in Punchestown: “a fairer picture than the view from the stands no eye could gaze on. Stretching left and right is the panorama of the Wicklow Hills, slightly wooded, but broken up with fenced walls, gradually sloping inwards to the track.” He went on to describe the

Naas, all set for a Royal visit during Punchestown in the late 1800s dressmakers for the elite and even “winter attire can nowadays be made of such lovely and brilliant tintings that a gay effect can always be secured.” And where could such weather-proofed fashion be found in the Punchestown environs? Well, not surprisingly, the “galaxy of beauty and fashion” was to be found in the “train of royalty” comprising the entourage of the Duke and Duchess of York who were making their first acquaintance with Punchestown in 1899.

metropolitan steeplechase fans was converging to get a train for Punchestown. Considerably before the hour fixed for its departure the first special train from the Great Southern and Western Railway terminus was well filled by those who knew the advantage of being early and avoiding the rush. The Daily Telegraph writer’s observations on the north Kildare countryside in the area of Hazelhatch and Straffan which he observed from the train carriageway window is worth recording: “Though Naas, the nearest

wooded clumps often shadowing some pretty cottage or manor, and the tender buds bursting out after a winter’s sleep.” The second leg of his journey from was equally entertaining – a jaunty jaunting-car with its sturdy little steed made light of the three miles to Punchestown from Naas station, rattling up and down hills in a style both exhilarating and exciting. His transport was somewhat more humble than that of the Vice-Regal party whose carriages were waiting at the station together with an es-

unique characteristics of the race course: “There is, perhaps, no course in the world like Punchestown.” One feature of the jumping course that struck him was jumps consisting of stone walls. He noted that the stone walls had been abolished on the racecourses of England but not in the Emerald Isle. “The Kildare course was intersected by some thirty natural obstructions – all well known to those who followed the hunting field in the district. This goes to the essence of Punchestown – it originated as a course laid out to

replicate the conditions that a horse and rider would encounter on a cross country hunting run. As the Telegraph correspondent observed “The obstacles are those of Nature’s doing; one of the peculiarities being the banks, which the horses jump on and off again, and the sudden drops.” Punchestown stood alone in the distinctiveness and complexity of its jumps and save in one location in the west country of England, could he recall such trying hunting country as to be found at Punchestown. And what of the central feature of the event, the racing? That too got top marks from the Telegraph man. He enthused that the sport of the opening day could only be described as being excellent. The most exciting race of the day was the Kildare Hunt Cup, for horses belonging to members of the hunt, run over a trying four-mile course. After a splendid tussle, Colonel de Robeck’s “Mayfly”, ridden by the owner, had to divide the spoils with Mr T G Gordon’s “Victory” who, with a final rush, all but justified its name. The de Robeck name from neighbouring Gowran Grange had been associated with Punchestown for decades. In the Irish Military steeplechase Captain Eustace Loder scored a most popular win with his “Betsy”, ridden by Major Hughes Onslow. The fields throughout were large. In the fifth race, many punters taking the changeable weather as a sign, put their money on an entry named “Sunny Shower” but he was a faller and the race was a runaway win for the bottom weight “Craddoxtown”, named after the towns land adjacent to Punchestown. And back to where we began with Royalty, the newspapers of the day record that the Viceregal party were so entertained by the day’s sport that they waited until the after the last race and then returned to the metropolis by special train. And thus ended the first day of Punchestown 1899.

LEINSTER LEADER

Tuesday, April 23, 2019 www.leinsterleader.ie

BestCompany You got it! BestHearingAids You got it! BestPrice You got it! Bonavox You got it!

TopHearingAid!

BONAVOX440 NOW JUST ¤1998APAIR

bonavox is a

with FREE batteries for 4 years and includes Grant

company, so why buy

Bestservice for over 50 years We are the only company with a FullRepairCentre

from anywhere else?

Our full range starts fromonly¤399apair

Availableinallsizes,customisedtofityou! 2

Our Price Promise - the best price or we’ll match any price in Ireland

includes Grant

Tofindoutmoreandtoarrangeafreehearingtest geafreehearingtest callusfreeon1800664466,quoting OFFER LL01 Terms & Conditions: BONAVOX offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer

Moorefield Road Newbridge Co. Kildare Tel: 045 433983 Email: info@bonavox.ie or visit www.bonavox.ie

LEINSTER LEADER

www.leinsterleader.ie Tuesday, April 23, 2019

PUNCHESTOWN FESTIVAL, APRIL 30-MAY 4, 2019

Recalling a recent visit to Moscow and the Hippodrome Harness Racing

A different racing experience Henry Bauress

unday, March 24 last, Moscow was not the warmest of cities. But a group of Celbridge Camera Club members found it was not that bad either. And so an offer to go to the central Moscow Hippodrome for an afternoon of harness racing was taken up. The Hippodrome is the oldest and one of the largest in Russia. Located on the third ring road in the city centre, horse races take place here every Saturday and Sunday from May to September. This was March and so the horse business we might expect at the Curragh was replaced by harness races, which take place all year round. I found myself wandering around a building very similar to our own tracks, which could have done with increased luxury. Of course there were betting facilities and a lot of the regulars were tucked inside, in the betting area. Most of them were men, it needs to be said. We were told that the Russian harness industry used to be Government run but is now private. It is a minority player in world terms. A 2017 report by Indecon on the Irish harness racing

Moscow Hippodrome Racers sector found that in betting terms, the Russian sector had relatively low betting turnover. The Hippodrome building is a 20th-century architectural landmark of Stalinist architecture of the Soviet Union under the leadership of Joseph Stalin, between 1933 and 1955. The stalls are covered and the seating capacity is 3,500. First opened in 1834 and the first race was held that year a new building with vast halls, buffets and stone stalls opened in 1899. Members of the Russian imperial family used to come and enjoy horse races here,

Of course there were betting facilities and a lot of the regulars were tucked inside, in the betting area. Most of them, it has to be said, were of the male variety

and Emperor Nicholas II, the last Emperor of Russia, ruling from 1894 until his forced abdication in 1917,had a personal study at the hippodrome. The first building burned almost to the ground in 1949 and was replaced by a more recent Stalinist building in 1955. Unlike traditional European hippodromes, the Russian hippodrome is multi-functional, i.e. it has racing tracks for trials of both riding and racehorses. We saw it on a cold day but it is a beautiful venue. In 2007, the Indecon Review of the Irish Harness Racing Sector found that

prize money in Ireland was lower than €1 million. In 2016, the sector ran around 311 races. There were 46 meetings with an average attendance of 379 people which equates to around 1.3% of the attendance at thoroughbred racing. But Indecon said that the sector, roughly estimated to be worth €3-7 million could expand significantly. The One option is for a well run sector to provide televised events which can be relayed to France and Australia, in particular, for betting purposes. This will bring in a stream of income, it is hoped.

Currently races take place at Portmarnock in Dublin, Dundalk, Cork and Northern Ireland. But the report suggests that some big changes are needed. Various aspects of these venues make them unsuitable for running international events. One might imagine that one of Kildare’s three racing venues could be an option but the word from the horse world is that using current race tracks for harness racing would not work. Indecon said the entry barriers to harness racing are low but racing and training facilities need to be upgraded.

Keeping a close eye on the Moscow Hippodrome Racers

LEINSTER LEADER

Tuesday, April 23, 2019 www.leinsterleader.ie

Drive for a company that’s going places goaheadireland.ie

join the Go-Ahead driving team where your next journey begins

EMERGENCY EXIT push button & pull handle

push button & pull handle EMERGENCY EXIT

Be a bus driver for Go-Ahead Ireland at either our Ballymount or new Naas depot. OUR STORY...

YOUR ROLE...

Late last year we aimed to be not only Ireland’s newest bus operator but also the best, and in mid-2018 we started operations from our new Ballymount base in Dublin. Following on from our successful launch, we now have additional bus driving vacancies at our Ballymount depot and our new depot in Naas.

This is a role that requires commitment, numeracy and literacy, and the talent to communicate with our customers and other colleagues.

The Naas depot is due to open in Summer 2019 and will operate Dublin Commuter services, currently provided by Bus Éireann.

We are asking, would you like to become part of a large, well established international group, and wish to join a team of dedicated professionals, at either one of our locations?

We’ll give you all the necessary training to gain your bus driving licence, so long as you’ve held a full car driving licence for at least 2 years and meet the medical requirements. If you already hold a category D bus licence and have a good track record as a bus or coach driver, great!... we’d love to hear from you as well. You’ll be using all of your customer service and safe driving skills on the busy streets of the city and the surrounding region on our commuter services. As buses run 364 days a year, your shifts will include early starts and late finishes including weekends and public/bank holidays.

...connecting people to places

WHAT WE OFFER... As well as comprehensive paid training, our generous package includes:

post-training earnings of up to €32k contributory pension scheme overtime outstanding career development opportunities Don’t miss the bus... visit www.goaheadireland.ie. today and help to drive Ireland. Please note, when submitting your application please advise which depot you would be interested in being based from.

LEINSTER LEADER

www.leinsterleader.ie Tuesday, April 23, 2019

Choose the SUV that’s right for you.

Talk to us today about the Volkswagen SUV range. Sheehy Motors Naas, Newbridge Road, Naas, Co. Kildare. T. 045 906600. W. www.sheehyvolkswagennaas.ie Models shown are for illustrative purposes only. (Tiguan Allspace, Touareg, Tiguan, T-Roc, T-Cross) Fuel Consumption l/100km (max. – min.) :combined 8.6 - 5.4. CO2 emissions g/km: 226 – 137. The specific fuel consumption and emission values are the official figures obtained from tests under standardised EU test conditions in accordance with the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP). To discover exact values please configure your desired vehicle at volkswagen.ie/build.

LEINSTER LEADER

Tuesday, April 23, 2019 www.leinsterleader.ie

Leinster Leader

APRIL 30 - MAY 4 2019

ANDREW COONAN ON THE THRILLS AND SPILLS AND HIS ROLE WITH IJA WILLIE MULLINS LOOKS SET TO DOMINATE PUNCHESTOWN AGAIN

Volkswagen

MARTIN BRASSIL BACK IN THE BIG TIME LOCAL BOOKMAKER, COLM WHITE, ON A LIFETIME IN THE RACING GAME MEET THE NEW CEO OF PUNCHESTOWN

Sheehy Motors Naas 045 906 600 www.sheehyvolkswagennaas.ie

Commercial Vehicles