Day 1 belonged to John P. McManus and Robert Thornton who both had two winners. Robert Thornton booted home Captain Cee Bee in the first race to give J.P.McManus a deserved 1-2. He has over two hundred and fifty horses in training and for all the money he pours into N.H.Racing and pleasure he gives to the rest of us he deserves success. Last season he had horses with thirty-three different trainers in Ireland besides those he had with trainers in Britain. His main base in Britain is at Jackdaws Castle where Jonjo ONeill is his trainer. His second winner of the afternoon was Garde Champetre in the Cross Country Chase ridden by Nina Carberry and trained by Enda Bolger. The same team won the corresponding race last year.
Robert Thornton’s second winner was on Katchit in the Champion Hurdle. This was a gruelling race and a very gutsy performance by Katchit who outstayed everything else in the race. The softened going had made the race a real test of stamina which did not suit the more fancied runners.