Heads Up shows off his engine in Punchestown

Heads Up was an impressive winner of the bumper at Punchestown as he made all and routed the opposition by 24 lengths.

He jumped off with a clear advantage on his seven rivals and never relented. In the straight, he galloped away remorselessly from his struggling rivals to come home well clear at 4/1. Shesakindofmagic was a remote second at 66/1 and was three and three-quarter lengths in front of Pour One More (33/1).

John McConnell said: “How did I get him beaten in two bumpers?

“He’s still a little bit immature mentally and ran off the bend past the stand first time. He’s not doing everything right, but has enormous ability.

“Finn (Buckley) said he felt like he was never out of second gear the whole way.

“It’s my first horse for Darragh (McDonagh) and he’s been very patient with him.

“He’s only four and we’ll definitely stick with bumpers, but whether we give him a break and bring him back for a good spring bumper I don’t know.

“Whatever he’s doing here, jumping is his game.”

The Raceday Stewards interviewed Mr F. R. Buckley, rider of Heads Up (GB), concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who stated that his mount is idle and there was a very loud wind and he could not hear his rivals. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that Mr. F. R. Buckley was in breach of Regulation 10.3.c, the hitting of a horse that clearly has its race won (winning distance 24 lengths), and having considered his record in this regard (first offence) the Raceday Stewards suspended Mr. F. R. Buckley for two racedays.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee