The Jam Man winning the Ladbrokes Troytown Chase at Navan© Photo Healy Racing
Ronan McNally saddled his first Grade 2 winner at Punchestown on Sunday as Dreal Deal continued his amazing winning streak in the Sky Bet Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle and the Armagh trainer will be hoping for further big race glory as The Jam Man is being aimed at the Dublin Racing Festival in Leopardstown.
The versatile eight-year-old recorded the latest of his 11 career wins when routing the opposition in the Ladbrokes Troytown Handicap Chase at Navan resulting in his mark over fences rising 21lb to 150.
An intended trip to Ascot for the Porsche Long Walk Hurdle just before Christmas was foiled due to transport issues, and his sights are now set on the €100,000 William Fry Handicap Hurdle.
The Jam Man, who has won over €200,000 in prize-money, beat all bar the equally progressive Treacysenniscorthy in this race last year off a mark of 139 and currently has a hurdle rating of 143.
“He’ll go for the three miles handicap hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival. He was second in it last year so that’s what he’ll aim for,” confirmed McNally.
“I didn’t enter him for the Stayers this year at Cheltenham. I didn’t feel that we had got a good trial to say we were going to be competitive or not so we’ll leave that off and I have other things in the back of my mind for him.
“He’s in great form and spot on at home. I was hoping to get a run into him last week but there was nothing really for him so we’ll have to wait.”
