Viroflay is Britain’s sole representative in tomorrow’s Event Power Champion Hunters Chase (4.15) on day four of the Punchestown Festival.
Speaking from the course trainer/rider Olive Nicholls has given an upbeat report on the eight-year-old (pictured above), who arrived in Ireland yesterday and who is one of 14 horses set to line-up. Owned in partnership by Nicholls’ father Paul and John Bolton, Viroflay has won six point-to-points, and while second to Barton Snow at Stratford in March he was an easy winner at Kempton at the start of last month.
Nicholls, who is based near Wantage in Oxfordshire, feels that Punchestown, like Kempton a right-handed track, will suit her horse, and said: “He travelled over yesterday with one of Dad’s runners, Rubaud, and it was very hot. It took him a little while longer to eat up, but I took him for a canter on the course today and he’s now full of beans, and eating his lunch. I don’t think he liked eating from a bucket on the floor, so I’ve done a bit of DIY with some baler twine to tie it up and he’s much happier.”
Viroflay with Olive Nicholls and her parents Georgie and Paul (Ce)
Viroflay held entries at tomorrow’s Cheltenham evening hunters’ chase meeting, but Nicholls said: “That was really a back-up plan, and it was always the intention to come to Punchestown. I wasn’t sure which race to go for at Cheltenham because I felt three miles two furlongs on a left-handed track would stretch his stamina, but the two-and-a-half miler was a hot race and I’ve never ridden him over two miles.
“The going here is lovely, although I would be happy if it continues to dry. In last year’s race on softer ground they crawled round, but I’ll be making the running tomorrow. He likes it out in front and is much happier doing it that way. He was quick at Kempton, averaging 30mph the whole way round, and I’m hoping he can do something similar tomorrow.
“Whatever happens it’s very exciting to be riding at this Festival, and I’ve heard the Friday is very busy and a special atmosphere. I rode at Fairyhouse in November in the Lorna Brooke Great Britain v Ireland race, but this is my first time at this meeting.”