3 minute read
A long-term plan by trainer Warren Greatrex came to fruition when the front-running One Track Mind (10/1) came out two and a quarter lengths clear of Jennies Jewel under Gavin Sheehan in the feature Grade 1 Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle over three miles.
"This has been the plan all season and we just brought along the horse slowly," said Greatrex. "It was one of those surreal feelings watching the race as I was happy the whole way through. We broke this horse and have had him the whole way through. It's fantastic. He's a brilliant jumper and will go chasing next season. He's big and raw and will improve for another season. We've always thought he could be a really nice horse
"He's a real stayer and Gavin went out and made it a test for them. He had plenty left going over the last and wasn't going to get beaten. When you ask Gavin, he gets it right every time. We love coming to Punchestown and have kept a team to bring over this year."
Sheehan added: "One Track Mind was brilliant. We have always liked this horse and in the early days we thought this was going to be the best horse we had in the yard.
"Coming over here, he was a fresh horse and had form with Reve de Sivola who is a tough nut to crack. I was never really comfortable in a race like that because I was trying to get a little bit closer. The more company he has the better he is. You saw going down to the last that he put his head down and really battled, which is what I like to see. I always said that he could be our Gold Cup type horse. He has got everything going for him. It is great to win a Grade One here and I have got the whole family here, which makes it even better."
Shaneshill fell at the last when coming to challenge, while Evens favourite Alpha Des Obeaux finished third.
Enda Bolger saddled his 13th winner of the FBD Cross Country Chase for the La Touche Cup over Punchestown's unique banks course but his first since 2010 when Quantitativeeasing (the 9/4 joint-favourite) came out in front of stablemate Cantlow.
"That was electric to watch," said Bolger. "The good ground is a big factor for him and I was delighted with the way Cantlow ran as well. The winner was a very good horse before he came to me and it's just a matter of getting him to change gears in these races. But he had the ability before I got him.
"A lot of my neighbours are here today and without them I couldn't do this. They allow me to train across their land so I am very grateful to them."
Winning rider Mark Walsh added: "You would pay to ride a horse like this. Enda has them so well-schooled and they love it. Going down to the big double down the back, he took me upsides Andrew Lynch and outjumped him and when he got to the front he pricked his ears so I left him - he was loving it out in front.
"He is a good horse in fairness and Enda is class with what he does with them down there. I have ridden over the banks and in the La Touche once or twice but I have never got a spin like that."
Bryan Cooper delivered the enigmatic Bright New Dawn, a 12/1 chance, with a well-timed run to win the Three.ie Handicap Chase.
"Bright New Dawn is either very good or very bad and there is morebad," said winning trainer Gordon Elliott.
"I thought Bryan was very good on him. It was as good a ride as I've seen him give one all year. The horse has got loads of ability but is just a bit of monkey. Thankfully, it all worked out today and is great to win because it is a good pot. That's probably saved him from a trip to Doncaster sales!"
Cooper added: "Bright New Dawn travelled great. I was worried about getting there too soon and maybe the mistake at the second last helped me because he got underneath it. To be fair to him, when I came off the bridle I did not think he would find as much as he did. We came in after Aintree and I said he probably does want two and a half now because, although he was quite free, when he comes off the bridle he only levels out.
"He never missed a beat bar the second last and I got a great ride off him. He battled well and deserved that. Gordon does a great job with the likes of this lad. He doesn't bully him and keeps him fresh which is why he has gone to three festivals and won the third one."
Gavin Cromwell, who runs stable star Jer's Girl in tomorrow's Tattersalls Ireland Champion Novice Hurdle, began the day on a bright note when Elusive Ivy scored at 16/1 under Breen Kane in the opening JLT Handicap Hurdle.
"Having a bit of juice in the ground helped him over this two-mile trip. She was a bit keen going down to the first but settled lovely after that and got a lovely run round. Everything went to plan and she's really turned a corner over the past three weeks. Her summer coat came and she has been working the best of her life," said Cromwell.
"She's been the work companion of Jer's Girl so hopefully they have brought each other on. She might go to Galway and then could go chasing. Breen has ridden 10 or 11 winners now all for me. He gets very few outside rides and I don't know why. He isn't getting much of a break but that will come."
Breen Kane added: "Elusive Ivy has been good to me. She is definitely a little bit better over further - she won around here over two and a half miles and was very impressive. We were slightly sceptical about the trip but her form is solid and she was working with the likes of Jer's Girl during the week.
"They went a good gallop which suited me. As long as they were going quick enough, I hoped I would outstay those who wanted better ground on the day."