Punchestown Results Thu, 2nd May, 2019

Polished Steel wins opener on Day Three at Punchestown

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.

Snugsborough wins easily to compensate connections

we always felt there was going to be plenty of pace in the race which suited and I was just hoping they came back to us. He’s progressing nicely and was in off a light weight. He came out of the race in Fairyhouse well, and it’s great to win a nice prize at the Punchestown Festival. The lads who own him (Rising Sun Partnership) are real racing enthusiasts and I’m delighted with the way the horse has progressed throughout the season. I ran him before over longer trips to teach him to settle. He’s learning all the time but the handicapper is not going to be too kind to him. He’s pulled a front shoe and hopefully he comes home in one piece. He’s generally a good ground horse, and the way he won there you would be thinking of something like a two miles chase at Leopardstown over Christmas.

Ballyboker Bridge wins La Touche Chase

to win this again means everything. There is nothing like the banks races as it requires top courage for riders and horses. A lot of races have been modified but that’s the last gladiator stand left. . Ballyboker was always a good horse but he doesn’t stay. You have to nurse him around and he got his own way for a bit and he filled up and went away again. If he gets a breather he’ll stay well but he used to run very keen with the choke out when he was younger.

Veteran stayer Unowhatimeanharry rolls back the years

I’m over the moon. We brought a lorry load here and if we could pick any of them to win this week it would be him but to be honest he was possibly the least likely. He’s just thrived since he’s come over here, and the change of scenery appears to have sparked him up.

Townend rides first winner as Mullins' new stable jockey

Paul is very cool like Ruby. He has a different style of riding but gets very good results. this filly got into a good bit of trouble in Fairyhouse; she’s not the biggest in the world and got intimidated by others around her. Today Paul dragged her to the outside and once he got out there he got her balanced and racing and she jumped well enough.

Willie is taken by Chacun as Ricci tips his hat to a Champion

Champion Mullins completes Punchestown treble

she (Elfile) looks smart. I think she wants another half mile but she’s such a slick jumper that she’s able to counteract that. I think once she goes up in trip she’ll be better and Paul thought the ground was quick enough for her too. She wants a good dig in the ground. She’s one to look forward to next year and I’d say she will stay hurdling. I was also very happy with Allez Dance (third). She’s always had a lot of training issues but hopefully with maturity she’ll come right.

Meade's Sixshooter maintains unbeaten record in bumper

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.