Milenium takes another scalp

The novice Davenport Milenium has rocketed to the top of the 2003 Smurfit Champion Hurdle market after winning his second Grade One race of the week at Punchestown yesterday.

Wednesday's defeat of Like-A-Butterfly in the Menolly Champion Novice race had opened up a number of options for Davenport Milenium.

But yesterday's victory over the 33 to 1 outsider Just Our Job and the red hot 4 to 7 favourite Ned Kelly in the Emo Oil Champion Hurdle has opened up whole lot more.

"After the first race, we talked about going novice chasing, then the Stayers' Hurdle was mentioned and the owner proposed the Grand Jump in Japan. But we have to think of the Champion Hurdle now," admitted Willie Mullins.

Cashmans agreed to such an extent that Davenport Milenium is now their 10 to 1 clear favourite for Cheltenham while doubling Ned Kelly's championship odds to 20 to 1.

"He just ran as flat as a pancake. Maybe he has had a harder season that we thought. He did everything bar run at Cheltenham," reported trainer Edward O'Grady.

But it was still surprising to see Ned Kelly surrender second place in the closing stages. By then, Davenport Milenium had the race won after picking it up at the second last from Ansar.

"He was first class. Willie always thought he had plenty speed and he proved it today," said Ruby Walsh. The English raider, Landing Light, finished last and was found to have a slight respiratory infection.

If Mullins and connections were delighted with their victory, it didn't compare to the relief felt by Tony Martin after It's Himself battled to a four-length victory in the David Austin Chase.

Martin had earlier landed the hunters chase with Own Fields and that was the Co Meath trainer's first winner since February 13th.

"That doesn't get me out of trouble - but it helps!" Martin grinned after It's Himself had advertised the riding ability of Glen Tormey.

"He is as good as any rider around. Unfortunately I don't have the horses for him but he gave that horse a wonderful ride. He filled his lungs every chance he got," Martin added.

Barry Geraghty brought his festival total to five winners for the week with a double on the English raider Batswing in the handicap chase and Turtleback in the four-year-old hurdle.

Batswing was a first runner in Ireland for trainer Brian Ellison and he really made an impact with the horse being cut from a morning 9 to 1 to a 5 to 1 starting price.

Turtleback smoothly got the better of Czar Of Peace in his race and made up for some bad luck earlier in the season.

"He was pretty shook after getting bumped by Scolardy at Leopardstown but he didn't run a bad race in the Triumph and he deserved that," said Edward O'Grady. The Co Tipperary trainer later picked up the bumper with Glenhaven Nugget who cruised through on the inner before the turn-in under Paul Tobin before holding Compostello's late charge.