Channor Group Novice Hurdle 5d161g |
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| Grade 1, Punchestown 16:15 €125,000 guaranteed, 4yo, 2m7f180y, Class 1  |
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135nu
1 Jasmin De Vaux 13/8F
2. Honesty Policy 5/2
3 Fleur In The Park 17/2
8 ran Distances: ½l, 6l, 2½l
Time: 6m 5.90s (slow by 31.80s)
The Channor Real Estate Group Novice Hurdle is won well by Jasmin De Vaux who battles on after the last under Paul Townend for the Mullins team! ✅ pic.twitter.com/6NRSxyrbu4
— Punchestown (@punchestownrace) April 30, 2025
In a finish to set pulses racing and hearts pounding, Paul Townend produced a piece of inspired improvisation aboard Jasmin De Vaux, as the Cheltenham hero fended off Honesty Policy in a nerve-jangling conclusion.
This was a test of nerve, balance, and belief – and Townend, somehow, had them all in spades.
The well-backed 13-8 favourite, already a dual Festival winner, looked to be gliding to victory until his Achilles heel – his jumping – reared its head once more. A mistake at the last saw Townend lurch perilously sideways, his right iron flying loose in the aftermath. But instead of snatching for safety, he made a split-second call – booting out the left and going freestyle. It was bold, it was brave, and it was borderline balletic.
Rallying on landing like a man possessed, Townend galvanised his partner, driving Jasmin De Vaux for every inch around the outer. Inside him, Mark Walsh had picked a shrewd path on Gordon Elliott’s Honesty Policy, saving ground and waiting to pounce – but when it came to the flat, the answer was simple: Jasmin De Vaux had the gears.
Half a length the margin at the line – but miles of drama in between.
Trainer Willie Mullins, rarely one to get carried away, could only tip his hat:
“He just does what he has to. He’s not a great jumper, and Paul asked for a big one at the last – he gave it, but nearly fired him clean out of the saddle. To stay on, maybe with only one iron, and get him home like that… it was fantastic jockeyship.”
And what now for this mercurial machine?
“He’s got a huge engine. Maybe fences will suit better – but as long as you get him near the post, he can finish it off.”
As Townend proved in spades, sometimes the best-laid plans give way to the best-made decisions. And on this day, Jasmin De Vaux flew home without irons – but full of heart.
Channor Group Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)
€125,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 2m7f180y, Class 1
8 ran
Going: Yielding
POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 Jasmin De Vaux 6 11-10 W P Mullins Paul Townend 13/8F
2 ½ Honesty Policy 5 11-10 Gordon Elliott Mark Walsh 5/2
3 6 Fleur In The Park 6 11-10 Andrew Slattery Cian Quirke 17/2
4 2½ Jarrive De Mee 6 11-10 W P Mullins Mr P W Mullins 13/2
5 2½ Argento Boy 6 11-10 W P Mullins Danny Mullins 12/1
6 2½ Familiar Dreams 6 11-3 Gordon Elliott Jordan Gainford 14/1
7 23 Cardcounter 5 11-10 Gordon Elliott Sam Ewing 11/1
PU Luckinthecity 6 11-10 W P Mullins Sean O'Keefe 66/1
PAST RESULTS
Year Horse Age/Wt Owner Trainer Jockey SP
2024 Dancing City 7 11-10 Mrs J Donnelly W P Mullins Paul Townend 7/4F
2023 Gaelic Warrior 5 11-10 Mrs S Ricci W P Mullins Paul Townend 4/5F
2022 The Nice Guy 7 11-10 Malcolm C Denmark W P Mullins Paul Townend 15/8F
2021 Galopin Des Champs 5 11-11 Mrs Audrey Turley W P Mullins Paul Townend 13/8F
2020 Abandoned - Covid-19
2015 Killultagh Vic 6-11-10 Mrs R Boyd, Mrs M J Willie Mullins Paul Townend 8/1
Armstrong, J B Anderson
2014 Beat That 6-11-10 Michael Buckley Nicky Henderson GB Barry Geraghty 11/8 Fav
2013 Morning Assembly 6-11-10 Clipper Logistics Ltd Pat Fahy Davy Condon 14/1
2012 Marasonnien 6-11-10 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins Paul Townend 12/1
2011 Askanna 6-11-01 John Asple Colin Bowe Mr Barry O’Neill 33/1
2010 Rigour Back Bob 5-11-07 Gaticoma Syndicate Edward O’Grady Barry Geraghty 6/1
2009 The Midnight Club 8-11-06 C C R Racing Syndicate Willie Mullins Emmet Mullins 7/4Fav
2008 Got Attitude 5-11-05 David Reid Scott Jessica Harrington Barry Geraghty 16/1
