Ian McCarthy landed a first Punchestown festival success today, as Fountain House (1/1f) survived an early scare to give the locally-based pre-trainer a ‘1-3’ in the day’s opening Stanley Asphalt Bishopscourt Cup.

Seven-year-old Fountain House erred at the second fence causing jockey Eoin Mahon to dramatically lose his left iron, which he recovered some 150 yards later, and before the third.

Produced from off the pace, Fountain House moved past stablemate and target Eyes Off Annie after the second-last and at the line comfortably held runner-up Squire O’Hara.

Ex-jockey McCarthy, who cares for 60 pre-training horses, reported “Fountain House finished second in the Ladies Cup here last year and it’s been my plan since to come back and win this race, as there is great history behind it.

“I’m a Galway-man originally but am based 25 minutes away, so this is brilliant to get over the line. This horse has brought so much joy to us as a family and we’re looking forward to the future with him.

“He rubbed one fence early on today but it was a blessing in disguise and Eyes Off Annie ran a blinder for Maxine (O’Sullivan).”

He added “I had breezers selling yesterday and another couple next week: obviously that’s a big investment but I was never as nervous in my life as I was coming in here this morning. It’s a great thrill, a great sport and game. It’s just brilliant that it came off.”

The Bishopscourt Cup — a race confined to local farmers, has a history stretching back to the 1800s.

Quotes from Gary Carson