Trainer Eamonn O'Connell (second from left) with The Niffler© Photo Healy Racing
The Niffler was the well supported (morning 25/1, returned 11/1) winner of Punchestown's Watch Racing TV In Stunning HD Handicap Hurdle (div I) today, scoring for father and son, trainer and jockey Eamonn and Eoin O'Connell.
It was jockey Eoin O'Connell's 20th ride of the entire season and his first winner since September 2020, but claiming 5lbs from top weight made the difference, as the pair scored by a length and three parts from Command Chain
O'Connell senior, whose Powerstation was a standing dish at Cheltenham festivals and finished third in two Stayers Hurdles in 2009 and 2010, later explained “we were hoping he'd run well today, we were happy enough with his mark and we got it right anyway.
“He ran well last time and was running well in Clonmel as well when Eoin got unseated on him. He was just unlucky that day.”
“He'll be alright going forward and I'd say he'll go through anything and will go on nice ground too.
“Hopefully he'll keep progressing and he'll run again in three or four weeks time. He's still only five so won't over-face him. I've nothing picked out and we'll see where we end up.”
A niffler is a rodent-like creature with a long snout similar to that of a platypus.
Quotes from Gary Carson
