Fever devours the Punchestown fences Considering he won a 'point' as a four-year-old Champagne Fever is familiar for some time now with the technique of jumping fences. The now six-year-old was good on his initial encounter with the 'big ones' on the racecourse proper in the Connexus Communications Beginners Chase at Punchestown. Bringing up a treble in as many races for Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh, following on from Analifet and Glens Melody, the dual Cheltenham Festival hero, a 4/7 shot, made all in this two and a half miler. He devoured his fences on the way around as the fencing of several of his rivals let them down. The big grey wasn't fluent two out but there was never the remotest chance of him coming down. Thomond O'Mara's former 'pointer' was slightly left at the last but he breezed away up the run-in to triumph by four lengths from Corbally Ghost. The well-backed Marlbrook was fifteen lengths off them in third. "He's an electric jumper. I'd say it was just lack of concentration at the second last. He's able to put in short ones as well as long ones and he looks a natural. "He'll have no trouble going out or back in trip and I have him entered in everything. "He'll probably go shorter at Christmas and whether he runs between now and then will depend on how he comes out of this," said Mullins in the aftermath. Reaction from the bookmakers was 5/1 from 6s Champagne Fever for the Arkle with Paddy Power. It was 7/2 from 6s with Boylesports for the same race. R.J. Jones, rider of Our Vinnie trained by C.Byrnes, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount finished lame. The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Our Vinnie, trained by C.Byrnes, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be lame post race. (AM & EM)
