Jacovec Cavern draws first blood on day two at Punchestown The Paul Hennessy trained Jacovec Cavern ran out an impressive winner of the opening Adare Manor Opportunity Series Final Handicap Hurdle at Punchestown. Sent off a 33/1 outsider under Richie Condon, the Turner family owned seven-year-old was always to the fore in this big field. Going second before three out, the son of Sixties Icon headed long time leader Thanksforthehelp at the penultimate flight. Kicking clear into the straight, Jacovec Cavern went right away from rivals to win easily by 11 lengths. “We were waiting on the declarations to see if he’d get in and we didn’t know until about 10.15. It was a long 15 minutes!” said Hennessy. “It’s wonderful, we are a small team and we enjoy the craic. They are fantastic owners and have been very patient. “We ran him in a Triumph Hurdle three years ago, when he was 300/1, and he ran well in it. We thought we’d have great fun with him but it’s taken a while. “I really wanted to win a hurdle race with him because he’s won on the Flat and won a chase for us. “All the owners are here and we’ll enjoy, on a fine day like this at Punchestown.” Additional reporting by Gary Carson.
