Cantillon off mark in Ireland

Arctic Tack Stud's unraced full-brother to Montjeu, Gold Well is making a serious impression with his runners to date and his son Grand Jesture, out of Four Moons, a half-sister to Trabolgan, made a successful debut for English trainer Don Cantillon in the Finlay Motor Group INH Flat Race under Borris, County Carlow native Michael Nolan at Punchestown.

Director's Forum looked like he'd taken Grand Jesture's measure from early in the straight but not for the first time he didn't seem to get home as the 25/1 winner rallied strongly in the closing stages to prevail by three and a quarter lengths.

A travelling companion for his runner tomorrow, in the champion bumper, As I Am, Grand Jesture (bought for 6,000 Euros by Highflyer Bloodstock as a foal at the Tattersalls Ireland November National Hunt Sale in 2008) surprised Newmarket-based Cantillon.

He said: "This fellow only came over here as a travelling companion for the horse I have in the bumper tomorrow – I'm absolutely over the moon.

"I always thought he was a lovely horse at home but he was just here to make up the numbers.

"That's the first time he's ever seen a racecourse, he hadn't even been away for a gallop.

"All my horses are for sale – this lad has done a lot of schooling and he had a hunter cert. He's a chaser waiting to happen and he'll make a cracking horse in the future as he has a bit of class.

"That's my first winner in Ireland. Be Fair was fourth here in the Champion Novice with Jim Culloty riding a few years ago and then he came back a few years after that. He fell that year in the Champion Hunter Chase." (GC & EM)