Crus French Champion Entry

Unfortunately, it wasn't all joy at Punchestown this week, and I am extremely saddened to report that we lost Mr Thriller after his fall in the Champion Novices' Chase on the Tuesday. He was a smashing horse and a pleasure to have in the yard. He was running a super race and looked sure to be involved in the finish until his fall – only a six year old, he had massive potential and his loss is a tremendous blow to everyone in the yard. His jockey, Paul Townend was also injured in the fall but everyone at Pond House was delighted and relieved that he managed to retain his lead in the Irish jump jockeys championship to land his first title. Paul is still only very young and I sure that this is the first of many.

Conditional jockey Conor O'Farrell enjoyed a busy week on his return to the Emerald Isle, with plenty of Irish trainers queuing up to secure his services. Conor enjoyed a nice winner for his former guv'nor John Joseph Hanlon on Saturday when he landed the valuable handicap hurdle aboard Trucker's Delight. This was Conor's 40th career win and consequently his 5lbs allowance will now be reduced to 3lbs. Even so, he still looks good value and I foresee him riding out his claim altogether sooner rather than later.

Conor continued his rich vein of form aboard the yard's Qulinton in the handicap chase at Worcester on Sunday. He judged his challenge to perfection to get up by a short head to deny Sir Ian – it was a good performance with the pair coming 28 lengths clear of the remainder of the field.

It is looking like being a quiet week ahead on the jumping front, with entries at Fontwell, the all hurdle card at Wincanton and Aintree, while we also have a few entered on the level. Wincanton moved very early to switch their card to an all hurdles meeting – hindsight is a wonderful thing, but isn't it just typical that we should be inundated with showers since their announcement?!

We will also be making a few entries in France and Totesport Trophy third, Notus de la Tour is a likely runner at Auteuil on Tuesday week (17th May) in the Prix Melinoir – a 3600m conditions hurdle. We will also be looking to enter Ladbrokes World Hurdle runner-up Grands Crus in the Grand Course de Haies d'Auteuil (French Champion Hurdle) at Auteuil on 18th June. Entries close on 10th June for the 5100m Grade 1 contest, so check back here for the latest news...