Progressive Bridie's Beau defies a stone rise Bridie’s Beau defied a 14lb hike for a win at Punchestown last month when getting up close home to take the Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series At Punchestown Festival 2025 Qualifier Handicap Hurdle at Gowran Park. The 9/1 shot travelled well early in the straight but was on the back foot after a slight mistake at the penultimate flight. However, Kieren Buckley’s mount really got motoring on the run-in getting up closing stages to deny Killaney King by a head. The pair pulled six lengths clear of Camino Rock in third with Slanagaibhgoleir completing the places in fourth. Winning trainer Gavin Cromwell said, "“That’s great. He’s taken a step forward. He travelled brilliantly and jumped brilliantly and he was gutsy too. He met the second last on the wrong stride and lost a bit of momentum, but he was good and brave. “He has surprised us, I thought for a long time he was going to struggle to ever win a race but here we are and he’s after going up a stone. He has enough size and scope to keep improving. “He is six and we thought when we got him first, as a five-year-old, that he was well tried from Paul Nicholls but in fairness to him he’s after coming forward.” When asked if the Final of the Series would be the target he added, “I think so, for the money that’s on offer you’d definitely have to consider it.” Quotes by Gary Carson
