Captain Guinness and Rachael Blackmore© Photo Healy Racing
Captain Guinness Cheltenham Champion Chase odds were trimmed by bookmakers today following a winning seasonal reappearance in Naas' Grade 3 Poplar Square Chase.
The son of Arakan, third to Shishkin in last season's Cheltenham Arkle Chase, reappeared in fine fettle, settling well, before moving clear of his rivals at the second last to readily beat Andy Dufresne by four and three parts of a length.
Winning jockey Rachael Blackmore had earlier partnered the Joseph O'Brien trained opening race winner Uhtred and following Captain Guinness' success, his trainer Henry De Bromhead said “he settled really well which is key to him and that is just what we wanted. It’s brilliant for the Landys (owners) who are all here today.”
He added “we’ve always thought he was a brilliant jumper and it was just unfortunate a few times last year. Punchestown was probably a run too many last season.
“This was always an obvious race to start off but I’m not sure where we’ll go next. I’d imagine Leopardstown at Christmas would be one and whether we do anything between now and then I’m not sure.
“The Tingle Creek and the Hilly Way at Cork would be the two obvious races between now and Christmas if we do run him again.”
Paddy Power and Betfair later cut Captain Guinness to 20/1 (from 33/1) for the Champion Chase, a race won by his stablemate Put The Kettle On in March.
Quotes from Alan Magee
