Super Saturday for Supasundae
It was a super Saturday for Robbie Power at leopardstown today when he partnered the Jessica Harrington-trained Supasundae to victory in the in the BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle.
It was one of the big races at the opening day of the Leopardstown Dublin Festival.
The race was in advance of a tilt at the Stayers Hurdle at Cheltenham next month but all the attention was on the Willie Mullins-trained Faugheen which had at Christmas and was still sent off as the 9/10 favourite.
Faugheen made the running for Paul Townend, but Power was alsways up with the pace and his mount stayed on well in the closing stages to win with Mick Jazz in third and another Harrington runner, Jezki in fourth.
“Robert was sure that when he had Faugheen in his sights at the last that he would stay every inch of the way, and he did. When he got to the front he was only pricking his ears," stated the trainer.
"We were looking for a race for him before Cheltenham, his plan is the Stayers Hurdle, and we had a conversation at home in the office and decided to come here," sated Power who last month was named Meath Sportsperson of the Year.
Leopardstown chief executive Pat Keogh expressed his delight with day one of the new Dublin Racing Festival as the attendance reached over 14,000.
“We’re half-way through and if tomorrow is anything like today in terms of quality and excitement, we will be delighted,” said Keogh.
“I would like to pay tribute to the owners and trainers who have supported the inaugural Dublin Racing Festival with their very best; the sponsors who have made the whole festival possible; and the wonderful attendance who have created such an atmosphere here today.”
The attendance on day one of the Dublin Racing Festival was 14,105.
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