Josh Halford lands Grade 1 bumper on With Nolimit Josh Halford rode the biggest winner of his career to date when partnering the Gordon Elliott trained With Nolimit to win the Grade 1 Race & Stay At Punchestown Champion I.N.H. Flat Race. Only ninth in the Cheltenham equivalent last month, the Gigginstown House Stud owned gelding was sent off 14/1 to overturn that form with a trio of rivals that had finished in front of him. Pushed along to go fourth entering the straight, the five-year-old moved second behind Boycetown at the two-furlong pole. Ridden to lead over a furlong out, With Nolimit stayed on strongly to beat Cheltenham winner The Mourne Rambler by one-and-three-quarter lengths. Elliott said: “To be fair he ran a good race in Cheltenham, he might have just done a little bit much. I probably gave Harry (Swan) the wrong instructions. “We took our time with him a bit more today. All credit to Josh, he gave him a great ride. “Barry O’Neill was supposed to ride him but he got a fall. I spoke to him when he was going to the hospital and he thought he’d be okay. Those boys are made of steel. “We were never going to be using anybody but Josh if Barry couldn’t ride. The only reason that Josh wasn’t riding him was that he was 7lb wrong with no claim. “I’m delighted for Josh, he works in the yard and he works very hard. He’s a lovely fella, he’s from good stock. “He’s with me now for a couple of years and got us a good few winners. He comes in everyday and doesn’t say too much and doesn’t give out. He’s patient and I’m absolutely thrilled for him, to win a Grade 1. It’s hard to get them. “That’s equal with our best ever season as regards Grade 1s (12). Hopefully we might get another one before the end of the week.” Additional reporting by Gary Carson.
