Darragh O Conchuir is a freelance sports journalist known for his
work with The Irish Field, mainly carrying out in-depth interviews with some of
the sport’s best-known characters. He was previously involved in the production
of live racing coverage for Irish-language television channel TG4.
Looking back over the last season, can you pick a personal high and low point for the season and tell us why? Also, who would be your horse of the year?
Un De Sceaux is the horse I was looking forward to most. The anticipation I felt before his chasing debut was similar to that waiting for the tape to go up before the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. You'd swear I owned him. He's a Hollywood horse. So him proving his worth subsequent to that fall and on the biggest stage of all was tremendous. Sole Power is another Hollywood horse, all about the climactic ending. Visually, the most impressive was Vautour in Cheltenham. But the biggest roaring I did was every time Hurricane Fly eye-balled his opposition, stuck his neck out like a terrier and added to his world record Grade 1 haul. The highlight? Hard to pick one but probably the Morgiana, because of the genuine fear that he would not fire.
Can you pick a favourite Punchestown memory from the past?
Sprinter Sacre winning two years ago was outstanding. Sizing Europe doing the business last year. Risk Of Thunder winning his seventh La Touche Cup. Any time Spot Thedifference or Garde Champetre won. Faugheen last year. I'm going 20 years and my memory is shot but they come to mind initially.
In your opinion, what does a horse need to win at the Punchestown festival? Likewise, what should the punter look out for when trying to pick a winner here?
Freshness is key at this time of year and I would always be wary of those that skipped some of the other festivals. You never know, even with the Mullins hotpots, if Cheltenham has left its mark. Having said that, he has a better record than anyone else of having them right to follow up.
Willie Mullins looks set to clear up at this year’s festival with runners such as Vautour, Douvan, Don Poli, Shaneshill, Un De Sceaux, Faugheen and Annie Power – which of these looks most opposable to you and why? Which looks like the biggest banker?
Shaneshill because if the rest turn up, they won't be beaten. The novice division is very competitive in Ireland, especially the staying end and though Shaneshill is in the vanguard - it really was a cracking run against Douvan - by virtue of the way the question has been framed, he's the one to oppose. Wouldn't surprise me if he wins though.
Is Mullins holding the majority of the talent and trying to avoid clashes have a detrimental effect on the sport?
Absolutely not. Certainly, nobody was saying that Friday evening in Cheltenham. It is very hard for the small man to win a bumper or maiden hurdle alright, anywhere. But people with money will always bring their horses to the best when they've forked out significant wads of cash. There is still a chance to have a good one though. You might just end up selling it. Moon Racer, a case in point. But back to Mullins, we have seen him run two or three in a race much more this year. But then people complain he's making sure he wins. So they're not happy anyway. The man is a genius and is a tremendous advertisement for Irish racing.
The Punchestown Gold Cup featuring any number of Djakadam, Road To Riches, Carlingford Lough, Don Cossack and Ballynagour looks a very open race – who would you side with?
I have a sense that CArlingford Lough prefers smaller fields and slower run races definitely - not because he hasn't the gears but because of his jumping. When they go quickly, he loses ground over the fences. He likes it around Punchestown. Don Cossack was brilliant at Aintree but there is doubt about the trip. Djakadam is clearly a huge contender next year but would probably like a bit of give in the ground. Road To Riches for me because there is no doubt about the distance, the better ground will suit. I think he'll gallop away from them all. The one concern would be how hard a race he had in Cheltenham. If Don Cossack is a genuine three-miler, it will be some race!
The other race which looks very open (if Annie Power runs in the Mares) is the World Series Hurdle which could feature any number of Jezki, Hurricane Fly, Rock On Ruby, Dedigout and Lieutenant Colonel – who would you side with here?
Honestly no clue. Was disappointed in Rock On Ruby at Aintree - I think he ran no race at all so could chance him. Wouldn't expect to see Jezki or The Fly. Lieutenant Colonel has good form back home. Dedigout wants it soft. If he gets it, he's a real dour stayer and the one for me. Otherwise, I'll chance Rock On Ruby.
After an incredible season for Irish-trained horses, which are you most looking forward to seeing at Punchestown?
Couldn't possibly pick. The Fly because he's The Fly. And Un De Sceaux.
Looking away from Punchestown, what’s your current view on the Guineas?
It really is a mad race to decipher, being so early in the season. Gleneagles is a worthy favourite. Estidkhaar shaped very well on his seasonal reappearance and the Hannon yard know what they're doing when it comes to this Classic.
What race are you most looking forward to at Punchestown and what’s your view on this race?
You'll have realised now that I find it difficult to tie things down to one. I want to see all the good horses. The Champion Hurdle will be great. Faugheen was destined for fences and Vautour the hurdle route until the former blew us all away on the opening day last year so he'll love it here. Hurricane Fly loves it here and is still close to his best. Jezki was impressive here last year, although there is the sense that Fly wasn't at his optimum. Arctic Fire must be thrown into the mix too. Obviously if Don Poli and Vautour clashed, that would be something else but it seems unlikely now.
Are there any horses which you feel may be going unnoticed heading into the festival?
Probably... it is so hard to judge without knowing what's going where. And because they often go unnoticed by me! But there will be something fresh that will relish the conditions that will be great value because it hasn't run in a while or has struggled on winter ground. That's stating the obvious, I know.
Could you give us one tip for the festival and one horse to follow next season?
A Douvan/Annie Power/Un De Sceaux/Vautour/Faugheen/Don Poli accume will land this time! Wicklow Brave could be thrown into that too to pump up the price.
Next year Gilgamboa looks interesting. Wicklow Brave might be another. Connections found out a lot about the former and he will thrive over further. The penny may have dropped with the latter, who remember, was very highly-rated as a novice. Still ahead of the handicapper but there are graded races in him too.
