Noel Meade got off the mark for this year's Punchestown festival today as the former Champion Trainer landed the Kildare Post (C&G) Bumper with the Gigginstown House Stud owned, Mark O'Hare partnered Sixshooter

Meade had yesterday jokingly lamented that his main adversary, and current Champion Trainer, Willie Mullins hadn't retired instead of stable jockey Ruby Walsh but today Meade got the better a Mullins trained horse in the concluding race.

Sixshooter, a son of Well Chosen, today maintained his two race unbeaten record when proving a half length too strong for the Mullins trained The Big Getaway

Afterwards Meade stated “I don’t bet but I couldn’t believe what price he was and backed him at 25/1.

“We think he’s a nice horse and he won very well the last day. He’s still as green as grass, and Mark said he won more snug than it looked.

“He’ll have the summer off now and hopefully he’s a nice novice to look forward to. He jumps well.”

Quotes from Alan Magee