Chosen Hour wins Punchestown's opener

Chosen Hour showed the benefit of three previous chase runs when routing the field to win the opening Sporting Life Beginners Chase, confined to horses rated 109 or less over hurdles, at Punchestown today.

The Sean Aherne trained eight year old had previously won three times over hurdles and was today the top rated hurdler at 109. The son of Well Chosen and out of mare Lucky Hour, was well held on chase debut in a 0-116 rated chase at Cork in November and more recently exited at an early fence at Tramore on New Year's Day.

Today jockey Sean O'Keeffe moved Chosen Hour to the front entering the home straight and the pair subsequently opened up a big lead before scoring a 29 lengths win over Cherokee Bill

Afterwards trainer Aherne said “he was rated 109 over hurdles so it was an ideal race for him. Where we go now I don’t know but there is a few options for him. He’s been a lucky horse so far.”

Quotes from Alan Magee