It was a memorable day for the Punchestown siblings, Connor and Daniel King, as their horse, The Oscars, continued to rise through the novice chase ranks by winning the Boodles Florida Pearl Novice Chase. The 7-4 favorite, fresh from a strong performance in the Open Over Fences at Galway last month, secured a Grade 2 victory with a commanding three-length win over Henry de Bromhead’s Cocktail Divin.
Trainer Conor King expressed his confidence in The Oscars, highlighting the horse’s strong hurdles background and his hopes for it to excel as a chaser. King noted his longstanding interest in the race, recalling how last year’s small field of three runners made it a contest they could realistically target. He acknowledged that while the horse’s jumping improved compared to the last race, it ultimately got the job done.
Looking ahead, King mentioned the disappointment over the removal of the three-mile novice chase at Leopardstown during Christmas but suggested the upcoming Limerick race, which is a two-mile, five-furlong novice chase likely to feature heavy ground, could suit The Oscars well. He emphasized the horse’s promising future, noting it always seems fresh post-race and has a lot more to offer.
In other events, the Conway Piling Beginner’s Chase saw jockey Willie Mullins guide Grade 3 winning hurdler Kitzbühel to victory, as the horse swiftly and efficiently cleared the big obstacles to finish one and a quarter lengths ahead of stablemate Kaid Dorsey. Mullins praised the horse’s performance and hinted at targeting a race at Limerick after Christmas.
Quinta do Lago, the 6-5 favorite, confirmed her strong form with a confident win in the Total Event Rental 3-year-old maiden hurdle in Cork. Trainer Jessica Harrington, aiming for the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham, shared some concerns about the horse’s inexperience but remains optimistic about her progress.
Jockey Gordon Elliott’s Santosospear, the 11-8 favorite, impressed in the Sevenden Steel Maiden Hurdle. Stable representative Lisa O’Neill is hopeful the horse’s versatility and adaptability to track conditions will help him develop further, possibly moving up to grade-level races this winter.
Fan Take: This lineup of rising stars and promising performances highlights the exciting future for novice chasers and hurdlers. For horse racing fans, it means fresh talent and thrilling competitions ahead, signaling a vibrant season filled with potential champions.
