Galway now on Elliott's mind for unbeaten Treaty

Arch Empire got loose prior to the Ladbrokes 'Best Odds Guaranteed On Racing' Novice Hurdle at Punchestown, necessitating his withdrawal, and causing a nine minute delay. Arch Empire's trainer Gordon Elliott was represented successfully in any case, with his Timeless Treaty taking the spoils under Paddy Cleary.

Timeless Treaty took over before the second hurdle after a muddling early gallop, but the Harzand youngster, now two from two, looked vulnerable after his pace-setting efforts, when pressed and joined approaching the straight.

Cleary and Timeless Treaty are clearly a good partnership, and after their Down Royal win they pulled out enough on the run-in here to fend off the more patiently ridden, Sticktotheplan by three parts of a length.

“He’s a nice horse, he did it well," said Elliott.

“He won well in Down Royal when we didn’t really fancy him, we didn’t know much about him.

“I thought he was gutsy today because he was headed and came back, he was tough.

“I suppose we’ll probably end up going for a novice at Galway now.

“I thought that was even a better performance today because he had to do all the donkey work in front, he was headed and then had to come back.”

Jake Coen, rider of Arch Empire, was taken to Tallaght Hospital as a precaution. He was thankfully reported to be moving everything and to be fully conscious.

An update from Dr Jennifer Pugh read: “Jake Coen has been stood down following a fall on the way to the start of race one at Punchestown. Jake has been transferred to Tallaght University Hospital for further assessment but was conscious and talking leaving the racecourse.”

The Raceday Stewards interviewed M.P. O'Connor, rider of Belle The Tigress concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who accepted he was in breach of the Whip Regulation and apologised for his actions. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that M.P. O'Connor was in breach of R.10.3(g)(frequency) and having considered his clean record in this regard, they suspended him for two racedays.

The Raceday Stewards advised Gordon Elliott, trainer of Arch Empire (FR), that a repeat performance from his charge, who unseated the rider on the way to the start, may render the animal liable to a suspension in the future.

(GC & EM)