Punchestown Result

See also » Raffles returns to claim Grade One glory
He was great. He's done very well to get back from the injury he had at Kempton, it was horrible,. Obviously he had to miss Cheltenham and he had no chance of getting to Aintree so it was just whether we had time to get back for this. To be fair Sarah that looks after him has worked her socks off with the cut. It was on his hind leg and that's why he's got the boots on, to protect him. There is still a wound there but it's covered up. Credit to everybody, the vets who stitched him together at Kempton and our guys at home, and Sarah in particular, because it's been a great effort to get him back. Fair play to him, he must be a good horse because I was nervous that he wouldn't be quite ready for a battle like that both mentally and fitness wise. We only started training him three weeks ago so he's a tough horse and a good one. We're very lucky because we found him and then he got wounded. Then a week later I found a thing called Pentland Hills hiding in a corner! Nicky Henderson, trainer

D.N. Russell, rider of Coko Beach (FR) trained by Gordon Elliott, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount found the going too quick

The Stewards interviewed Mr. D. O'Connor, rider of Fakir D'oudairies (FR), concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Mr. O'Connor stated that his use of the whip on the home turn included a number which were used solely to correct his mount from leaning off the bend and causing interference. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards accepted the rider's evidence that three hits were a necessary corrective measure and as his use of the whip thereafter was not in breach of the rules they took no further action.

A hurdle race for four yrs old only
Weights - 11st; Fillies allowed 7lb