Delayed Donagh Meyler arrived in time to ride a Punchestown festival winner on Sea Music (28/1) today, landing the Listed QuinnBet Novice Handicap Chase to give trainer Emmet Mullins a double on the day.

Meyler missed his initial ride in the 35-minutes earlier chase - with intended mount Broomfield Bijou pulling up, and on Sea Music raced mid-field before getting the better of a tussle with Blizzard Of Oz in the home straight, for a head win.

Meyler, with a personal-best 28th seasonal winner, reported “it was a good job this wasn’t the previous race but I got here in the end! It was nice for this horse to do that as I fell off him at Wexford the last day and he was game and very good today.

“This time two years ago, I rode a Grade 1 winner for Emmet (Mullins) at this festival, so can’t thank him enough and also my agent Gary Cribbin, who has done a fantastic job this season.”

Mullins, earlier success with top hunter Its On The Line said “I did fancy Sea Music although a few people thought today mightn’t be his day.

“He’d been going well, was unlucky the last day when he shot Donagh out of the saddle at the first fence, so we had him well warned today!

“Fingers crossed all roads will lead to Galway but this is great to get: it’s a prestigious race and a great pot (€60,000) to win.”

Quotes from Gary Carson