Athenean justifies Meade's faith

Athenean made the best way home in the three-runner bumper at Punchestown.

The four-year-old gelding was making his first start for Noel Meade having finished 12th in a bumper at this track in April for Eddie Hales.

Nina Carberry settled the 5/4 shot in second behind Cesar Du Gouet before she guided him into the lead on the inner approaching the straight.

The son of Westerner was sent about his business over a furlong out and he repelled the challenge of 4/6 favourite Rhinestone by a length and a half.

“I was quietly confident despite all the stories about the other horse (Rhinestone). Nina told me he was in Ballydoyle and he was a Listed horse,” Noel Meade said.

“I thought this lad had loads of speed and he's not like a typical Gigginstown horse. He's a real sharp horse.

“I'm sure the other horse has plenty of gears too as he's by Montjeu. He spent a lot of his life in Ballydoyle and I'm sure he knows plenty about the business and obviously they backed him.

“We fancied our lad big time. Sean (Flanagan) rode him work the other day and said it would take a fair one to beat him.

“I presume he'll go jumping but they might be tempted to run him in a winner race. We'll see what happens, he wouldn't be out of place in a winners race anyway.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson