Diesel does the business in mares maiden Switch From Diesel opened her account over jumps with a cosy success in the mares maiden hurdle at Punchestown. Keith Donoghue was soon in front on the even-money shot and she had her nearest pursuer Salsinha at work turning for home in the two-miler. The Yeats mare jumped the last well and went on to post a comprehensive six-length success. Switch From Diesel was taking a drop in class having competed in Grade 1 company on her last two outings. She was runner-up in the Grade 1 bumper here in April 2025. “I’m delighted. Naturally we thought we’d have had it done earlier in the year but there were definitely plenty of excuses for her,” said O’Sullivan. “The ground was very heavy and it turned into a real sprint in Navan the first day. The second day she came here and she ran really well behind Henry’s filly (Echoing Silence) and then she just stepped up in class into Grade 1 company. “It wasn’t a bad run in the Ballymore Novice Hurdle and the next day she just ran a bit gassy so Paul decided to give her a break and take her home for six weeks. It was a great decision. “This race stood out, a mares maiden hurdle two weeks after the festival on the festival track. It made perfect sense and it was lovely safe ground. “She’s a good filly and Keith was impressed with her. She’s uncomplicated and can do that, going on in front. “We’ll see what Paul wants to do and we can pick our tracks for the summer. She also has a nice mark on the Flat. “She won a maiden on the Flat, she’s rated 80. Somewhere along the way you’d like to look at that as well, she’s a great mare to have.”
