Foxhunters winners land Punchestown's opener

Triple point-to-point winner Kates Hill (15/8f) gained a first racecourse success today, landing Punchestown's opening Total Event Rental Beginners Chase in the same Cheltenham-winning colours of owner/breeder Patrick Smyth.

The race was confined to horses rated 109 or less over hurdles and with Kates Hill being rated 105 in both codes, received a helpful 7lb mares' allowance and, under Donagh Meyler, jumped to the front at the last to beat Rolly Bowley Boy by a half-length.

Successful in three point-to-points in 2020/'21, the nine-year-old homebred carries the colours of Tammys Hill, which won the 2014 Cheltenham Foxhunters under the owner's son James Smyth.

Today successful trainer Philip Dempsey reported “James Smyth had this mare and she is out of a half-sister to Tammys Hill.

“There is novice handicap at Naas at the end of the month and the Ulster National could be a plan, as going distances would be her thing. We'll see what the owners are thinking but they are great men to celebrate and they'll celebrate this for sure!”

“She backed up her Naas run (finishing second to subsequent winner Money Heist) and she's a great jumper. She's a lovely mare and she won well there. She's grand and is very quiet.”

Quotes from Gary Carson