Monday, 19 April 2010

Punchestown Festival...Tuesday Preview


Nicky Henderson's General Miller will look to follow up his Aintree victory in the Evening Herald Champion Novice Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival.

A first-flight casualty in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham, won by Menorah, he left connections wondering what might have been when beating Philip Hobbs' charge at Aintree.

Henderson admits it may be tough asking General Miller to go again so quickly, but he will be having a long break after Tuesday's race.

The trainer said: "He was very good at Aintree and while it may be tough for him coming so soon after that, he will be out in a field when he gets back.

"I can ask him to do this because of course he didn't have a race at Cheltenham so he's only having two quick runs and not three. The ground won't be an issue for him either, he handled quicker ground very well at Liverpool."

Another British raider is Charlie McBride's Rollwiththepunches, second to another smart Hobbs novice, Captain Chris, on his last start at Kempton.

Willie Mullins runs Flat Out, fifth in the Supreme, and Blackstairmountain, who disappointed at Cheltenham but ran much better when only worn down close home by Luska Lad at Fairyhouse.

Sweeps Hill, a classy bumper performer last term, has his first run of the calendar year, while Henry de Bromhead lets the exciting Loosen My Load take his chance.

De Bromhead said: "He hated the ground the last day at Fairyhouse but it was his first run for nearly five months. He'll come on for that, but he will have to as this is a Grade One. He's a really nice horse but I'm just not sure if he's a Grade One hurdler.

"Whatever happens, he's a smashing prospect for fences."