Longshot battles to victory

THE Jessica Harrington-trained longshot Jett spoiled the Gigginstown party when pipping Alpha Des Obeaux in the Grade 3 Star Chase at Punchestown yesterday.

The ‘maroon and white’ were responsible for no fewer than six winners at the two-day Punchestown meeting, including Jan Maat, which recorded a bloodless victory in the Grade 3 Buck House Novice Chase yesterday.

But Gigginstown’s four-strong challenge for the feature came unstuck as 22/1 shot Jett and Robbie Power got the better of Alpha Des Obeaux in a tight-finish.

Davy Russell – filling in for Jack Kennedy, who sustained a broken collar-bone in a fall from Swordsman in the earlier Grade 3 – carried 1lb over-weight on the runnerup.

“He’s a funny horse – he loves small fields and that good ground and, finally, his trainer has realised that he wants three miles,” admitted Harrington, who shared a double with Power, following the earlier success of course specialist Conron.

The Grade 3 Ladbrokes Acca Boosty Buck House Novice Chase attracted only four runners (three owned by Gigginstown). But the race produced plenty of drama as Mark Walsh was forced to pull up favourite Daly Tiger, due to a slipped saddle, after the fourth, where Swordsman crashed heavily with Kennedy.

This left Gigginstownowned Jan Maat in front of lone remaining rival Cool Colonnade. And that’s the way it stayed, providing Rachael Blackmore with the second leg of a double (won the opener on Noel Meade’s Beacon Edge) and the second of three winners on the day for his owners.

“It was made a bit easier, but he jumped great and it’s lovely to win a Grade 3 with him,” said winning trainer Henry de Bromhead (inset). “He’s been busy but has done well. And I hope he keeps progressing.

“He bumped into Wicklow Brave twice and deserved this. Good ground is important to him, so I’m not sure about plans.”

For the second successive day, Gigginstown recorded a treble, thanks to the efforts of three different trainers.

In addition to de Bromhead’s win, Noel Meade took the opening maiden hurdle with Beacon Edge, while Gordon Elliott won the bumper with Fantasio D’alene (Lisa O’neill).