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Rachael Blackmore

Thrilled Captain Guinness got off the mark over fences

Rachael and Captain Guinness clear the last at Punchestown on FridayRachael and Captain Guinness clear the last at Punchestown on Friday
© Photo Healy Racing

After another busy week it seems strange to have a rare Sunday with no jumps action, that said it will be a nice chance to catch my breath ahead of what should hopefully be a very busy Christmas time with plenty of big name horses that I am lucky enough to be able to look forward to riding.

I feel like I have spent plenty of time at Punchestown this week between the frustration of the fog on Sunday contrasted with a very good day on Tuesday. Eklat De Rire was keeping on really nicely over a trip on what was his first start over fences. He will hopefully have a big future chasing and I loved how he jumped.

Earlier on the same card it was great to win the rated novice hurdle with Rodger Brookhouse’s Gabbys Cross who just came out on top from Debuchet in a very tight finish.

Henry’s horses are in good form and today at Punchestown it was a real thrill to get Captain Guinness off the mark over fences. It was well documented that he had had a heart issue at Tipperary but this time he jumped well and came home in good fashion from Midnight Run. The ground probably was a bit on the testing side and I would expect to see him run even better on nicer ground. Henry mentioned after the race that he could head to Naas in January before a crack at the Irish Arkle (Leopardstown in February) which would be a nice target to have and was of course a race we won last year together with Notebook.

Onto Saturday at Fairyhouse where I have just the one ride on Capuccimix in the two mile handicap chase. He was disappointing the last day at Cork but hopefully that was more fitness related than anything else and he will have come on for that run. Off his current mark I can see him being competitive though it looks a good race with Daly Tiger for Noel Meade an interesting contender having beaten Tornado Flyer at Punchestown last time out. Tornado Flyer since ran a close second to Min in the John Durkan which gives a big boost to Daly Tiger's form. Chosen Mate who won the Grand Annual at the Festival last March gets a handy seven off with the booking of Rob James is another to watch. Hopefully Capauccimix can put his best foot forward and be involved in the finish at Fairyhouse.

Read more from Rachael on her BetVictor blog