Odds-on James is good Backers of 4/9 shot Champagne James never had too many concerns as he justified his price under Danny Mullins in the Tote Jackpot Maiden Hurdle at Naas. A bumper winner on his debut and placed second three times in the interim, the Stowaway gelding was in front from the third hurdle and he eased clear in the straight. The promising Barry Connell-owned and Ted Walsh-trained six-year-old got in too tight and hit the final hurdle but he stayed on well up the run-in to comfortably account for Spa Hill by seven and a half lengths. "He's confirmed Leopardstown form with Spa Hill and once he did that he was always going to be hard to beat. "He'll make a good chaser as he's big and brave. He's not short of pace and if he'd winged the last he wouldn't have come off the bridle," commented Walsh. The Michael Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle at Thurles and another race at Naas before Cheltenham were mooted as possible targets. The Stewards interviewed M.W. Bowes, rider of Boom Hall, concerning his use of the whip in this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that the rider was in breach of Regulation 10 3(b), in that he continued to use the whip after his chance of winning or being placed had gone and having considered his record, suspended him for three race days. (AM & EM)
