Grade 1-placed Schnitzel sheds maiden tag

Recent triple point-to-point winner Lord Schnitzel got off the mark on the racecourse at Limerick today when easily justifying 10/11 favouritism in the Earl Of Harrington Memorial Maiden Hunters Chase.

Lord Schnitzel was pulled up at the 2020 Cheltenham festival having attained an unusual Grade 1-placing in 2019, finishing last of three runners in a top-level Leopardstown chase, and this season reverted to point-to-points, winning thrice for new trainer Declan Queally.

Ridden by Chris O'Donovan today, the eight year old made all to easily beat Is A Real Champ by 11 lengths.

Declan Queally junior, responsible for day-to-day duties at the yard, later commented “he enjoys hunter chasing and going back in grade a little.

“When the horse came to me, Matthew (Smith, previous trainer) rang me and felt he needed a change of scenery and he went through everything with me.

“He showed some brilliant form for Matthew and is just above his grade here and it is working out nicely. He has plenty of experience in big handicaps and had some great runs behind Faugheen and Carefully Selected.

“I said we'd drop back to this level and age-wise, he is just perfect for hunter chases.

“I'd probably say he'll go to the Aintree Foxhunters rather than Cheltenham — I'd like to see him over the national fences as he is a big and bold and it would suit him.”