IRELAND warmed up for next week’s Cheltenham Festival by celebrating victory with Surprise Package in the Paddy Power Imperial Cup at Sandown on Saturday.
This was a result that British trainers certainly did not want to see but they were glad to hear Irish-trained horses could not board Saturday’s ferry for Cheltenham as the sea was too rough.
But they will get there, much to the disappointment of Nicky Henderson along with his training colleagues, in light of the Irish domination at last year’s Festival when they won 23 of 28 races.
After spell in the wilderness, Henderson did enjoy success at Sandown with Luccia.
"Of course, it's a relief," he said. “It's nice to finish up the week knowing what's good is still good. "You do worry a little."
Surprise Package, trained at Kildare by Peter Fahey, will now head to Cheltenham.
“When the entries came out for Cheltenham, we were thinking about the County Hurdle, but thought we might not get in,” said Fahey.
“So, we had a horse tuned up to run there and owner Paul Leech picked this race and said why sit on the fence, because if you think you are going to run a big race in the County Hurdle, why not come here first.
“I suppose the pity the £50,000 bonus for winning the Imperial Cup and a race at Cheltenham isn’t there this year, but if the horse is right, there’s a chance he will run again.”
It was a welcome success for the winning rider James Bowen as it was his 21st birthday.
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