Kilworth's Sean O'Brien enjoys major success at Punchestown with Gradual Slope
Mark McDonagh snr & jnr, Sean O'Brien and Lorraine Mcdonagh after The Gradual Slope won the Colm Quinn BMW Handicap Steeplechase. Picture: Healy Racing
THE final day of the Punchestown festival brought down the curtain on an incredible Irish National Hunt Season.
As anticipated Jack Kennedy was crowned Champion Jockey for the very first time, despite Paul Townend's Grade One double on Lossiemouth and Kargese, Kennedy had a sufficient cushion to fend off the Lisgoold jockey by two winners.
Kilworth trainer Sean O'Brien enjoyed a major victory in the €50K Colm Quinn BMW Handicap Chase with The Gradual Slope.
Rosscarbery jockey Brian Hayes also got in on the act, getting the verdict in a photo finish aboard Chapeau Du Soleil for Willie Mullins.
R’evelyn Pleasure has been the main standard bearer for the Sean O'Brien yard in recent years.
This afternoon at Punchestown, The Gradual Slope indicated he is ready to step up to the plate and assume that mantle. Mark McDonagh did the steering to record a notable success for the yard. It ensured a weekend of celebrations will ensue, as Sean’s daughter made her confirmation today.
The Gradual Slope, a dual winner over hurdles, was winning over fences for the very first time.
This race is the longest of its kind over regulation fences in Ireland. The winner clearly relished the marathon trip. He stayed on strongly to deny Lucinda Russell's raider Your Own Story by a neck.
O'Brien acknowledged the contribution of Dave Barry who allowed him to use his gallop,with his own out of commission due to flood damage.
The Mayo National is a potential target at Ballinrobe. Next season the Scottish National might be a realistic option.
Lossiemouth justified prohibitive odds of 2/11 to land the Grade One Coolmore N.H. Sires Bolshoi Ballet Irish EBF Mares Champion Hurdle with Townend onboard.
She completed the perfect campaign with today's facile success. She'd started her season with a spectacular victory in the Unibet Hurdle at Cheltenham in January.
She was equally impressive at the Cheltenham festival in March. As her skinny odds suggested she produced a convincing seven-length victory. She’s completely stamped her authority on the Mares Division and next term it’s inevitable that she will tackle Constitution Hill and State Man in the Champion Hurdle.
"It's a privilege to ride both her and State Man. I hope they are kept apart for as long as possible."
Lossiemouth is top priced 7/2 for the 2025 Champion Hurdle with State Man berthed on 4/1.
Townend may have relinquished his Jockey's Title, but he produced arguably the ride of the season aboard Kargese to complete a Grade One double on the day.
Kargese, who has a tendency to race with the choke out, had been runner-up in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham and again at Aintree last month. She benefited from a masterclass in hold-up tactics from the Lisgoold jockey.
She came from last to first under a virtuoso ride to secure the Grade One Ballymore Champion Four-Year-Old Hurdle.
It was a well-deserved triumph for the consistent Kenny Alexander-owned filly. In the end, she had a length and a half to spare from her market rival Bottler'secret.
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