Askanna provided trainer Colin Bowe with his first Punchestown Festival winner when scoring a 33/1 success in the Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle at the meeting today.

Amateur jockey Barry O’Neill, who wouldn’t be out of place in the professional ranks, steered the daughter of Old Vic to a comfortable win over Mossey Joe

Afterwards Bowe stated “Askanna disappointed the last day but had a problem with her back. I knew she was in good form today but wasn’t sure if she was back to her best. Barry gave her a great spin and she was pricking her ears at the line. ”

“Askanna is tiny, only 15.2hh, but will now have a break after a long year and will come back chasing next season.”

The win was last season’s Point to Point Leading Handler Bowe’s 16th of the season and the Wexford trainer later joked “it’s better than running for €500 on a Sunday in a point to point!”

Thomas Weekes