No more practice for Punchestowns

Published at Feb 21, 2010, 13:16

Nicky Henderson revealed today that RSA Chase favourite Punchestowns will head straight to the Cheltenham Festival without another run.

The highly regarded gelding, runner-up to Big Buck's in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at the Festival last March, has had just two runs over fences and missed a potential engagement at Ascot yesterday in the Reynoldstown Novices' Chase.

That Grade 2 event was won by stablemate Burton Port, and Punchestowns will not have another outing despite some of Henderson's other Festival fancies going to Kempton next weekend.

"Punchestowns and Long Run are now finished," said the trainer.

"We'll run some at Kempton next weekend and that will be the end of the Cheltenham horses."

Latest Stories which may interest you

Tim Toe 'has a bit of class' and strikes on Flat debut

On what was his first start under Flat rules, Henry de Bromhead's Tim Toe led home 14 rivals in the concluding David McKeown A1 Generators Maiden.

Putapoundinthejar benefits from patient Harnett ride

Putapoundinthejar came from off the pace to defy top-weight in the Paddy Woods Memorial Apprentice Handicap.

Toby McCain-Mitchell handed 10-day ban for not pulling up Top Of The Bill in National

Toby McCain-Mitchell was banned for 10 days by the Aintree stewards for failing to pull up final-fence faller Top Of The Bill in the Randox Grand National.

Bay shows his Supremacy in His Majesty's Cup

A good third on his return last month, Bay Of Supremacy went a few places better in His Majesty's Cup Handicap.