18+ | Commercial Content | T&Cs apply | Wagering and T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly | Advertising Disclosure
icon
Tom Weekes

Tom Weekes

Polished Steel wins opener on Day Three at Punchestown

Thu 2nd May 2019, 16:19

Polished SteelPolished Steel
© Photo Healy Racing

Robbie Power won the first race of the post-Ruby Walsh era at Punchestown today as the jockey steered Polished Steel to win the opening JLT H'cap Hurdle for trainer Jessica Harrington.

The son of Jeremy was clear when Power secured a good jump at the final obstacle and on the run-in kept the gelding going for a length and three parts win over Sil Ver Klass

Afterwards Harrington, who won the race in 2014 with Macnicholson and in 2017 with Bobabout, reported “it’s been a lucky race for me.

“He (Polished Steel) was always going to come here and had a break before Fairyhouse. He stood off too far at the second hurdle there, made a terrible mistake and then never jumped another hurdle.

“We decided today to change the tactics if he would settle and we put ear plugs on which helped him settle in front.

“He likes a bit of nice ground. He can cope with soft ground but not heavy. He’ll probably go for a mile and a half or mile and three quarters race on the Flat next.”

Quotes from Alan Magee

About Tom Weekes
A lifelong racing fan, Tom began writing point to point reports in 2002 and has reported for irishracing.com since 2003, when he joined Irish Racing Services - since taken over by the Press Association. Has ridden a point to point winner and won the 2018 Irish Field Naps Table.