Sea Of Dubka wins notable 3-Y-O Hurdle at Punchestown

Sea Of Dubka maintained her unbeaten record over hurdles in the William Hill Challenge Series 3-Y-O Hurdle at Punchestown on Tuesday. Henry de Bromhead’s filly opened the card in game fashion under Darragh O’Keeffe, holding off the 11/8 favourite Danny Power by half a length at 2/1.

The daughter of Sea The Moon carried a penalty for her maiden hurdle success at Killarney in August, but it did not stop her. Benefitting from a bad mistake by runner-up Danny Power at the last, she kept on well towards the finish to make it three wins on the bounce, following a flat handicap success at Down Royal in July.

It has been quite the transformation from her early flat days for the currently undefeated juvenile. She was 28/1 for her handicap debut on the level in April, but she is now unbeaten in two starts over obstacles.

A race with a rich history

This contest has a fine record of producing high-class jumpers. Espoir d’Allen won it for Gavin Cromwell in 2017 before landing the 2019 Champion Hurdle. Quilixios took it for Gordon Elliott in 2020 and went on to win the Triumph Hurdle the following March, by which time he was with de Bromhead. More recently, Elliott’s Wodhooh won it in 2023, the first of seven straight victories to start her hurdling career. She also landed the Grade 1 Mares’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival this year.

Sea Of Dubka has some way to go to match those three vaunted victors, but the early signs are encouraging.

Experience tells as Danny Power chases her home

Experience over hurdles counted for plenty, as the first two home were both previous winners. Danny Power had won a 3-y-o hurdle on his debut at Listowel in September, when ridden by O’Keeffe, and he shouldered joint-top weight of 11st 4lb here under Mark Walsh. John Queally’s gelding tracked well into contention but a bad mistake at the final flight ended his chance of reeling in the winner. He kept on to be beaten just half a length, and the son of Blue Bresil should have more to offer.

Joseph O’Brien’s Kenough was a further four-and-a-half lengths back in third on his hurdling debut. The 10/3 shot had been fourth in a mile-and-a-quarter maiden on the flat at the Curragh last month, and he shaped with promise, staying on well for third in the latter stages. O’Brien’s juveniles often improve throughout the season and there will likely prove a race for him.