Quazar shocks favourite at Punchestown
Quazar caused an upset at Punchestown today when flooring odds-on favourite Back In Front in the Emo Oil Champion Hurdle.
Back In Front was sent off at 8-11 and his supporters must have been counting their winnings as Edward O’Grady’s charge cruised up to the long-time leader In The Forge approaching the final flight.
But no sooner had Back In Front taken over than his jockey Norman Williamson had to give the market leader a reminder.
However, the horse responded and a fine leap at the last looked to have sealed the issue but his stride began to shorten and Tony Dobbin mounted a late challenge on Jonjo O’Neill’s Quazar, who battled on gamely to get up close home and land the spoils by a length at 7-2.
Dobbin and Quazar were winning their second Grade One event at the prestigious fixture having taken the Event Centre At Punchestown Champion Four Year Old Hurdle 12 months ago.
O'Neill said: "This horse is as tough as old boots. He just does enough when he hits the front.
"A good strong two miles is probably his ideal trip. He gets two and a half but this sort of race suits him admirably."
Dobbin added: "I was always going to win after jumping the last. I’ve now won eight times on him."
O’Grady believes today’s race came too soon for Back In Front and said: "The race the other day probably took the edge off him."
