Akilak leads British raiding party at Punchestown
Britain will be strongly represented in tomorrow’s Colm McEvoy Auctioneers Champion Four Year Old Hurdle at Punchestown with three of the seven contenders.
Triumph Hurdle third Akilak represents Howard Johnson while Brendan Duke saddles recent Cheltenham winner Openide and Lucy Wadham runs the unexposed United.
A recruit from Germany, United has won both of her starts over hurdles in this country, spread-eagling a field at Huntingdon in February before repeating the trick in better company at Stratford a month later.
“She travelled over safely with my other Punchestown runner Fenix and she has settled in well,” reported Mrs Wadham.
“We are hoping for a good run, it is a big step up in class, but she has earned a crack at a decent prize. I would say the field is probably not quite as good as it should be for such a big race, as it has cut up a bit.”
The home contingent is led by Strangely Brown, who was sixth in the Triumph before following up with a third to Faasel at Aintree.
He is joined by Don´t Be Bitin, Maxxium and Eye Candy.
