Wildebeest upsets odds-on fav' in bumper

The Noel Meade trained Wildebeest overturned a Willie Mullins trained hot-pot in the concluding Racing At Punchestown Tomorrow (Pro/Am) Bumper at Punchestown today, winning under Nina Carberry.

Returned the 6/1 second favourite (returned over 14/1 on Betfair), the son of Oscar was booked in most people's minds for place money behind 2/7 favourite Master Of Verse

However Carberry's mount found plenty for pressure in the home straight and in the end produced a fine turn of foot for a three and three parts of a length win over the (not so) 'jolly'.

Meade later stated “Paul (Carberry) was very happy with his run last time, when he met an awful lot of trouble, and thought he might win a bumper. That's why we decided to come back and try one.”

“He's probably a nice horse, has got a good pedigree and is a lovely big horse. We'll give him a month or so and go for a maiden hurdle. He definitely won't run in a bumper again.

“Nina said Patrick (Mullins, rider of Master Of Verse) was going so well she let him go a bit and then came with another run. Once Patrick's horse came off it she had him beaten.”

By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson