Smart Maiden Winner Continues Fine Run For The Gurkha

Champion Green (3g The Gurkha - Back On Top, by Lope De Vega) continued The Gurkha’s impressive strike rate when running out a smart winner of Tuesday’s nine furlong maiden at Punchestown.

A promising third on debut last season, the Joseph O’Brien-trained bay filled the same position on his seasonal return at Galway and was sent off favourite on Tuesday. Hugging the rail under Wayne Lordan, he was ridden to lead after the two furlong pole and ran on well to score by three and a half lengths, with another four lengths back to the third.

Owned by JP McManus and bred by Mrs Noreen McManus, Champion Green hails from the first crop of top-class miler The Gurkha, who boasts a 43% strike rate this year. The son of Galileo is also responsible for five Group/Stakes performers, including Group 2 scorer Best Of Lips (The Gurkha).