3 minute read

Sunday’s racing round-up includes Oisin Murphy’s trip to South Africa…

National Hunt record purchase Caldwell Potter made his debut for trainer Paul Nicholls at Carlisle, winning by five lengths to justify 2/11 favouritism. The €740,000 grey made all the running under jockey Harry Cobden, veering left at his fences throughout but requiring little encouragement to go clear in the home straight. The performance earned quotes of 20/1 for the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase and 25/1 for the Arkle from Paddy Power.

Fairyhouse played host to a series of upsets today which sent shockwaves through the antepost markets for the Triumph and Supreme Novices' Hurdles. The Grade 2 Royal Bond Novice Hurdle was won by Tounsivator, who saw off 1/2 hotpot Romeo Coolio under a strong ride from Danny Mullins. Gordon Elliott's Champion Bumper runner-up was favourite for the Supreme prior to the off, but has since been cut to a general 20/1 for the Festival curtain-raiser.

The Rich Ricci owned French import Willy De Houelle was also beaten in fairly comprehensive fashion on Irish debut. Joseph O'Brien's Naturally Nimble emerged triumphant in the Grade 3 Juvenile Hurdle under a hold-up ride from Richie Deegan, with Paddy Power making the winner 16/1 for the Triumph Hurdle – the same price Willy De Houelle has been cut to in light of his defeat.

Oisin Murphy's trip to South Africa has proven a popular one, with the jockey in high demand for autographs and photos in front of a 16,500 strong Turffontein crowd. Whilst only able to finish ninth aboard Frances Ethel in the Grade 1 Summer Cup, the high turnout in Johannesburg has been attributed to Murphy's four rides at the meeting. The Champion Jockey received a police escort to the airport to catch a flight back to London immediately after the event.