'Busy man' Sutton rides first winner

Twenty-one-year-old amateur jockey Jack Sutton registered a first racecourse winner today, steering his family's Balum to land Punchestown's Sherry Fitzgerald Brady O'Flaherty Supporting Longford GAA Handicap Hurdle.

Balum (7/1) returned from a 478-day absence when finishing third over today's course-and-distance 23 days ago and in today's race, made most of the running to easily beat runner-up Beau's Candle by nine lengths.

Balum's trainer Dermot McLoughlin later reported “Jack is from outside Ashbourne and had previously ridden the winner of a point-to-point. His family have a pub which he works in, he rides out and has a farm as well - he's a very busy man!”

“Jack's Mam (Eileen) and Dad (Raymond) own her so it's great. He comes into us and rides out and is a good young lad.”

Regarding Balum he added “we'll see what happens with the handicapper now. She had a good run the last day and it brought her on. It was grand for the young lad to get started and we'll go from there.”

Quotes from Gary Carson