O'Callaghan completes double at 'lucky' Punchestown Trainer Michael O’Callaghan completed a double at one of his lucky courses Punchestown today, with Believe Believe (5/1) overcoming a break to land the concluding Festival 2027 On Sale Soon Handicap (Div II) under Jamie Powell. Earlier successful with maiden-winner Back Straight, who was having his first run since last year’s corresponding fixture, O’Callaghan’s Believe Believe was himself reappearing following a 133-day layoff, having previously raced in May. Racing behind the leaders, Believe Believe eventually battled well to score by a half-length from Tero D’rosa . O’Callaghan commented “it’s been a great day, it’s a lucky place for us and I wish there was racing here more often! “He deserved to win a race like that. He hurt himself the last day, when he was second, which is why he’s had a bit of a break. He’s come back well from it.” He added “he’s needed every yard of the trip and Jamie gave him a peach of a ride from the draw (in 15), which looked like a bogie. He did well to get across and get the ‘possy’ he had, and sat until the straight. “He handled that ground well, he handles a bit of juice in it and he stays well. Hopefully he’ll be able to win again and I’d say he could jump a hurdle in time.” Quotes from Gary Carson
