War Correspondent wins on hurdling debut

Well-backed War Correspondent got up close home to collar Bridgehead in the opening 3yo hurdle in Punchestown.

Bridgehead jumped into a narrow lead two out From Tell Her Nothing with War Correspondent closing on the outer.

Tell Her Nothing came under pressure and dropped out of contention as Bridgehead and War Correspondent went on approaching the home straight.

War Correspondent was first to get the squeeze from his jockey Rachael Blackmore. Bryan Cooper asked Bridgehead for more on the run to the last and the pair looked to be holding that rival, however, Bridgehead knuckled on landing and surrendered momentum to War Correspondent who got a scent of victory.

He was almost on terms with 150 yards to race and was ridden to edge ahead close home by half a length at 7/2 from the 5/2 favourite. War Correspondent was backed in from 11/2 this morning for his hurdling debut having been placed three times on the Flat. Surac kept on in third, a further length and a half back in the first-time hood, at 7/1.

Trainer Ray Cody said: “We're thrilled. Rachael said he must have some engine given how keen he was.

“They went no gallop and his jumping is very novicey for his first run and she said she had to help him a lot, but he only really missed one.

“She said he can only improve, she thought after a couple of hurdles he was just too keen.

“All that will come to him, he's just a big raw baby.

“The plan in the back of my head, if he won today, was to go to either Fairyhouse or Cheltenham for the November meeting.

“I'll see what Belinda, the owner, wants to do but he won't run before then.

“I won this last year with Bell Ex One and he was meant to go to Cheltenham, but got ring-worm. This lad might go there.”

Paddy Power gave War Correspondent a first show of 50/1 for the Triumph Hurdle.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson