Goonyella and Jamie Flynn© Photo Healy Racing
Amateur rider Jamie Flynn, unfortunate when his saddle slipped on Goonyella in the Irish Grand National, gained ample compensation when the Presenting gelding landed the Breakfast With Hector on 2FM Handicap Chase at Punchestown.
Ann and Alan Potts' representative has made his name as a point-to-pointer and hunter chaser to date, but he graduated to this better class with flying colours here.
He really does stay well and he powered home to catch Ruby Walsh on Vesper Bell triumphing by a head.
Winning trainer Jim Dreaper said: "I thought he had a chance in the Irish National but for the second time in my life the saddle slipped on a horse.
"It was entirely my fault.
"He's not the quickest but he's never yet finished a race tired and that's extraordinary in a horse.
"I think he might win an National yet – it could be at Listowel or it could be at Aintree.
"He's only six. Chepstow (Welsh National) could be the first target. He needs heavy ground just to take the pace off the others." (GC & EM)
