Irish challengers head to Stratford

 Image © Healy Racing

Irish raiders The Rebel County and Kings Jet will bid to secure a fifth Irish success in the pointtopoint.co.uk Champion Novice Hunters Chase from the past ten renewals at Stratford on Friday night.

The near three and a half mile contest was without any Irish representation 12 months ago, but the Irish pair are among eight last-time-out winners among the 11-strong line-up, with the market headed by Garret Ahern’s The Rebel County.

The five-year-old has thrived since joining Ahern’s yard in Leamlara, winning an adjacent maiden at Ballyknock by 13 lengths before doubling his tally in a novice hunter chase at Tipperary three weeks ago.

That eight-length defeat of Cause For Comment was a first success under rules for Ahern’s son Josh, and the 20-year-old will be back in the saddle at Stratford, as they bid to follow up the Irish successes within the past decade of Lord Fingal, Quiet Account, Vaucelet and Ask D’Man.

Fellow five-year-old Kings Jet heads to Stratford hoping to follow-up his surprise victory at Down Royal earlier in the month.

Sent off as an 18/1 shot for that maiden hunter chase, having been unsuccessful in six previous attempts between the flags, Cormac Farrell’s charge ran out an eight-length winner over Sampoet, a horse that has since changed stables to join David Christie.

The Jet Away gelding will once again be the mount of Tommy Halford.

The British opposition is headed by Jeux D’eau who has won consecutive point-to-points at Bangor-on-Dee and Chaddesley Corbett, whilst Gina Andrews both rides and trains I’m Spellbound.

That nine-year-old has won his last five starts, including his latest victory which came in a match contest at Kingston Blount in mid-May.