Choungaya (J.J. Slevin), is about to fall at the final flight, leading Cap York (far side) to win© Photo Healy Racing
Finishing touches are being applied to Cheltenham preparations at present and the Pertemps Network Group Handicap Hurdle at Punchestown today threw up another possible runner with winner Cap York booking his ticket for the Pertemps Final in the process.
The Noel Meade trained, Gigginstown House Stud owned runner had been joined and strongly pressed by the similarly owned Choungaya (14/1 this morning in to 4/1f at the off) at the final flight but Choungaya's fall left the way clear for Cap York and jockey Sean Flanagan to beat another Gigginstown runner Mormon by three and a quarter lengths.
Afterwards Meade stated “I’d say he’ll probably travel (to Cheltenham) now because he stays and stays. He wants four miles!
“He ran at Limerick over Christmas and he was caught on the (inside) fence and they bunched up and he couldn’t get going again. He wasn’t beaten far in that good novice.
“We said we’d make plenty of use of him, and softer ground would suit him better. Hopefully he’s alright after that. If he gets in I’m pretty certain he’ll run in the Pertemps.”
The first six finishers, which also featured another Gigginstown runner and fourth placed A Toi Phil each gained qualification for the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham.
Quotes from Alan Magee
