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Alan Magee

Alan Magee

Hayes gets Chapeau De Soleil up on the line

Sat 4th May 2024, 18:01

Chapeau De Soleil (near side) and Brian HayesChapeau De Soleil (near side) and Brian Hayes
© Photo Healy Racing

Chapeau De Soleil provided Willie Mullins with a tenth winner this week at the Punchestown Festival and a treble on the day but it was a first success on the week for rider Brian Hayes in a blanket finish to the SBK Gold Trophy Handicap Hurdle.

The Soldier Of Fortune gelding was held up in this 23-runner €100,000 2m4f event and had at least ten rivals ahead of him approaching the last.

However, the 16/1 chance really got motoring on the run-in and got up on the line to touch off Beacon Edge by a short-head. Moonovercloon was just half-a-length back in third with Western Walk reeled in close home finishing fourth.

A delighted Hayes said, “He was plenty keen and didn’t do everything right. There wasn’t that much pace on and he had a lot to do in the straight but stayed on really well.

“He has plenty of scope and should make a nice chaser.”

About Alan Magee
Alan has worked in the racing industry for well over 30 years including with the Sporting Life, Turform and Irish Racing Services. He took up his current role as Irish Racing Team Leader with the Press Association in 2013. He has a keen interest in most sports and plays golf.