Grade 1 Glory For Captain Teague in Challow Hurdle

Captain Teague provided trainer Paul Nicholls with a fourth successive Challow Novices’ Hurdle, and confirmed himself as a top staying novice hurdler. He was sold as a foal at the 2018 November National Hunt Sale by Cleaboy Stud and Coppice Farm, and purchased for €19,000 by Levittstown Farm. It was a second win at graded level, and a first in Grade 1 company for the son of Doyen, who’s half-brother Sky Pirate won the Grand Annual at the Cheltenham Festival three years ago.

The Grade 3 Chase on Tramore’s New Year’s Day saw the Henry De Bromhead-trained Jungle Boogie win for a second time over fences, on just his third start over the larger obstacles. A lightly raced ten-year-old, he was purchased from Clashganiff House by Hill Farm at the November National Hunt Sale. Owned by Malcom Denmark, he remains an exciting prospect given his unexposed profile, and this performance demonstrated that he retains a high level of ability.

At Cheltenham, Peaky Boy defied a lenghty absence to win the opening maiden hurdle. He had been consigned by Railstown Stud, and purchased by Richard Frisby at the 2018 November National Hunt Sale. He was subsequently sold at the Tattersalls Cheltenham Festival Sale having won his point-to-point for trainer Denis Murphy.

His dam Joanne One was a black type winning mare for John Kiely, and his trainer Nicky Henderson mentioned afterwards that he’s a horse who will come into his own over fences.

The Gavin Cromwell-trained Stumptown bounced back to form with a five-length victory in the extended three-mile Handicap Chase at Cheltenham. It was a deserved win for Stumptown, who was making amends having been narrowly defeated in the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival last season.

Stumptown was sold at the 2020 May Store Sale by Churchland Stables, and purchased for €12,500 by David Byrne Bloodstock. He was initially sold at the 2017 November NH Sale by Hillfarm Stables for €4,200.

Derby Sale graduate Boldog created a good impression when making a successful debut for Joseph O’Brien’s stable at Tramore. He was purchased for €155,000 at the 2021 Derby Sale from Kilminfoyle House Stud by Highflyer Bloodstock. Running in the colours of Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, the grey son of Authorized had won a Hexham bumper for Stuart Crawford in the spring of 2023, and looks an exciting hurdling prospect for connections.

At Fairyhouse on Monday, Gordon Elliott and Caldwell Construction successfully combined with Derby Sale graduates Mollys Mango and Staffordshire Knot. Mollys Mango made it two wins from three starts over hurdles when running out a 17-length winner of the Mares Hurdle. She was purchased for €75,000 at the 2021 Derby Sale from Moanmore Stables by Andy and Gemma Brown, and Joey Logan Bloodstock.

Staffordshire Knot produced a taking performance in the Fairyhouse Bumper under Harry Swan. The son of Shantou hails from a strong family, with 2015 Aintree Grand National winner Many Clouds, and dual Grade 1 winning novice hurdler The Tullow Tank both in his pedigree. He was purchased at the 2019 February NH Sale for €65,000 from Burgage Stud by Joey Logan Bloodstock, and looks a nice prospect for connections moving forward.

July Store Sale graduate I Will Be Baie provided Willie Mullins with his first winner of 2024 in the two-and-a-half mile Maiden Hurdle at Fairyhouse. He was purchased for €43,000 from Boardsmill Stud by Milestone Bloodstock. The winner of a Galway bumper earlier in the season, it was an impressive debut over hurdles from the six-year-old.