6.05 Punchestown
betchronicle.com Champion I.N.H. Flat Race (Grade 1) (Class
1) (4YO to 7YO)
Winner €48,750
Advice: 3 pts win Champagne Fever (11/4 general)
Champagne Fever: Very highly touted following 10 length
point to point romp at Quakerstown but met with defeat on 1st start
under rules; Put that right with easy win in weak bumper at Fairyouse but
defied late drift to win Champion Bumper at Cheltenham, having led all the way
on ground that was supposedly quick enough for him; Returns back onto softer
ground which is anthing could improve him, and has to be the one to beat here. 
Colnabanan Lad: Hugely impressive when backing up on second
start under rules at Naas in February, beating Mozotov by 12 lengths on the
bridle; That form boosted by runner up next time and while he was unplaced at
Cheltenham in the Champion Bumper, ground surely too quick for him. 
Melodic Rendezvous: Quite taking when winning at Chepstow
last month and highly rated by connections who have described him as the “best
bumper horse we’ve had a home”; Worry that the ground is likely to be against
him while this a steep step up in class. 
Mozoltov: Easy winner at Limerick latest but had previously
been put in his place by Colnabanan Lad
at Naas, and no obvious reason why that form should be reversed in any capacity
today despite his obvious talent; Relishes these conditions and liked by yard
but others preferred. 
Venture Capital: Immediately changed hands after winning
over this trip at Fairyhouse on ground that was testing, beating Champagne
Fever’s first time out conqueror Thomas Edison; Worthy of serious respect on
that basis.
Young Palm: Won a 6 runner bumper at Ayr in January but
getting significant amount of weight thanks to runner up’s (who has won again
since)penalty and that on far better ground, so has a lot to prove here up in
class. 
Shu Lewis: Went 3 from 3 (two of those on quick ground) but
met first defeat with heavy ground when second at Navan and left miles behind
in messy Grade 1 bumper at Navan last December; Has a bit to find.
New Year’s Eve: As highly regarded as any horse from John
Ferguson yard following two impressive wins and went off favourite for the
Champion Bumper (having looked likely to win turning for home) before being
just held by Champagne Fever in last 100 yards; Serious threat on form but
ground is the issue.
As I Am: Career best when sneaking into the places at
Aintree in Mares Bumper event following her Taunton win (firm ground); Needs
far more here on figures and worry that she might not handle the testing
ground, so passed over. 
Fickle Fortune: Described by her trainer (won three of the
last eight runnings and four in total) as “very special” when winning easily at
Down Royal despite pulling hard and being hampered (soft); Needs serious respecting
here with that behind her. 
Summer Star: Needed first run but looked smart when landing
a Listed race at Limerick to follow her lady rider’s bumper victory at the same
course; Ground should be OK and has to be taken seriously here.
VERDICT: A race which is given lots of interest by the
presence of exciting horses such as the Summer Star, Fickle Fortune, and
Venture Capital, all of whom are fallible winners. However CHAMPAGNE FEVER
already sets a high standard on form though, and could well be better for the
switch to softer ground, and he should be hard to beat in his bid to become the
third horse to do the Cheltenham/Aintree Festival double, with runner up New
Year’s Eve one of the main threats here if handling the ground.
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