Douvan Heads Field of Eight for Inaugural Sportinglife.com Moscow Flyer Hurdle
Sportinglife.com Launch First Race Sponsorship in Ireland
The Willie Mullins trained Douvan could further enhance his claim as leading Irish novice hurdler in next Saturday’s feature race at Punchestown the inaugural Sportinglife.com Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle.
Currently 5/1 with Sky Bet, sponsors of the Supreme Novice Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, Douvan could face a total of seven competitors in Sunday’s Grade 2 contest. Champion trainer Willie Mullins will be hoping that his charge can follow in the footsteps of stable companion Vautour who claimed the 2014 renewal of the race before progressing on to win both the Sky Bet Supreme Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham and the Grade 1 Tattersalls Ireland Novice hurdle at the Punchestown Festival.
Looking forward to Saturday’s race trainer Willie Mullins said “Douvan is in good order and his form was franked at Leopardstown when Sizing John won the Grade 1 hurdle. Vautour won what is now the Sportinglife.com Novice Hurdle last year so we have taken the same route with Douvan and hopefully we might get the same results”.
Among today’s entries are the Tony Martin trained duo Blair Perrone and Marinero while Mouse Morris has entered Alpha Des Obeaux and Baily Cloud. Douvan’s stablemate Nichols Canyon will bid to recapture previous form and Domesday Book will run in the colours of Mr. Roger Brookhouse. The only filly in the race is Rock On The Moor who will look to add to her already impressive form for trainer Jessica Harrington.
Sportinglife spokesman Michael Shinners said “We are delighted to be sponsoring such a great race. Last year’s winner Vautour went on to win the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and with such a strong entry it will be fascinating to see who wins Saturday’s race”.
The Sportinglife.com Moscow Flyer Hurdle has an illustrious role of honour with the likes of 2003 winner Kicking King, Mikael D’Haguenet who won the 2009 renewal and of course last year’s victor Vautour among the line-up.
Dick O’Sullivan, Punchestown Racecourse General Manager welcomed Sportinglife.com: “Sportinglife.com are part of one of the world’s largest and most successful media groups and we are thrilled that they have chosen Punchestown for their first venture into sponsorship in Ireland. It’s a great endorsement for Punchestown and indeed Irish racing to have such a prestigious company sponsoring here. We look forward to enhancing this relationship and working together in the future. “
Action gets underway at 12.40pm with admission starting from €8 for seniors and students and €12 general. The Punchestown Festival takes place from Tuesday 28th April to Saturday 2nd May.
2015 Sportinglife.com Grade 2 Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle
1. Alpha Des Obeaux
2. Baily Cloud
3. Blair Perrone
4. Domesday Book
5. Douvan
6. Marinero
7. Nichols Canyon
8. Rock On The Moor