Suprise Package is off to Fairyhouse again on Sunday in the opening maiden hurdle. He’s gone back in trip to two miles and you might wonder why Peter would decide to do that. I did as well, so reached out to him:
Me “I’m a bit nervous. Not sure if I’ve spoken to a Festival winning trainer before”
Peter “Ah..very funny”
We then proceeded to discuss the events surrounding the victory of Belfast Banter in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham. At this point you may be asking “Belfast Banter? I thought all the talk was about Royal Kahala in the Mares Novice the day before” and you would be correct. In a display of misdirection and deception that David Blaine can only dream of, Peter convinced everyone that Belfast Banter was just an afterthought. Not only did he allow himself to be interviewed about Royal Kahala on numerous occasions, but he even went so far as to plan his trip to Cheltenham to start on Tuesday and then to fly back on Thursday after Royal Kahala had run; all of this to convey the impression that Belfast Banter had no chance.
He almost had me fooled but then, at the last minute, I decided to have a token bet on the horse. Belfast Banter has a reputation for not finishing that strongly so what does he do in the most competitive race he has ever run in, a race where the last 500 yards are up a 1:6 hill?
That’s right – flies up the hill to win convincingly and in the process give both Peter and Kevin Sexton their first festival win. This was followed by an emotional interview with Kevin as he explained how he almost given up on racing but thanks to family, friends and, in particular, Peter, Ber and everyone in the yard had got himself back in the right mindset. At one point, he said that riding was the only thing he’s any good at; I know how he feels: I should never had given up on runway modeling so quickly!
I could not be happier for Kevin and Peter, Ber and everyone. It does raise a few questions about the optimum pre-Cheltenham routine though. Royal Kahala was there a good three days in advance of her race; the same as Bay of Freedom had been all the way back in 2015. Belfast Banter however was busy minding his own business in his box in Monasterevin on the Wednesday morning before declarations were made. By 10.00 it was clear he was going to scrape in as Number 26 (of 26) so it was all systems go to arrange the ferry and get the horse to Cheltenham by Wednesday night. Perhaps, that’s the secret. When Peter has two winners next year, we will know for sure.
Anyway, back to our conversation:
Me “What’s your thinking re Suprise Package?”
This was a subtle but loaded question as it could have meant anything from “why didn’t you enter him in the 2 ½ mile race?” to “who’s going to ride?” to “why don’t you wait until Wexford next week and enter him in the race Bay of Freedom won in 2016?”
Peter “He should run his race. Two miles may be on the sharp side but he’s in good form and this will be good experience”
Which is a good answer to a question I never thought of asking. He followed up with:
“ Which day is he running? Sunday or Monday”
So much for being trained to the minute, eh? Anyway, who am I to argue with a Festival winning trainer, so meekly answered:
“ I am pretty sure it’s Sunday”
“ah, in that case, Kevin may be going to Cork”
I had noticed that Peter had entered Hisnameis MrDevitt in the first race at Cork. Before you ask, I have no idea where that name came from or, indeed, the question that provoked it. Peter followed up with:
“I’ll give you a call later when I’ve decided who’s going to ride yours”
“Fantastic” was my response but, I knew I had a better chance of picking the County Hurdle winner than getting that phone call.
As it turns out, Peter secured the services of Darragh O’Keeffe for the ride so no complaints there. Look, he may not be a Festival winning jockey but how many are? I am joking, of course, he is a very accomplished Grade 1 winning jockey having won on A Plus Tard in the Savills Chase at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting (despite, or maybe because of, wearing the wrong colours)
Looking at the race, and even over 2 miles, you would be thinking he will finish in the first half dozen or so. There are three horses dominating the betting but, after them, there isn’t any stand out horse. I would think that El Barra should win comfortably; Buddy Rich looked a bit one-paced to me last time and the other fancied horse, Bold Approach, is having his first run over hurdles and I am not convinced he will take to it. Peter has a couple of other horses in the race; one of whom, Quaker Island, is around the same price as Surprise Package. I can honestly say that I never asked Peter which one he fancied most – I just couldn’t take the disappointment.
Fingers crossed for a good run and a safe return for all involved.