Anything Will Do and Oakley Brown© Photo Healy Racing
The Joseph O'Brien-trained Anything Will Do enhanced a fine record with a battling success in the opening rated novice hurdle at Punchestown this afternoon.
Promising claimer Oakley Brown took the mount on the 5/2 second favourite and he was settled behind the leaders early on in the two-miler.
Brown drove his mount into the lead turning into the straight and he knuckled down well to get the job done. Popong looked a big danger going to the last but Anything Will Do got the better jump and held his advantage to the line.
He recorded a half length win over that rival with Poseidon finishing well, three-parts-of-a-length back in third. 9/4 favourite Authorized Art was a head back in fourth in a tight finish.
Anything Will Do was making it three wins from four starts and assistant trainer Brendan Powell said afterwards:-
“He’s a tough little horse and is the most laidback customer at home but he’ll always keep doing it.
“Oakley gave him a smashing ride as once he got him rolling he kicked and was just doing enough in front. He’s a very genuine horse, jumps well and I’m sure he’ll end up staying further in time. He’s won three now so you can’t complain.
“Joseph’s idea of taking the 7lb off today helped as well. He’s a good kid, and hopefully he has a good future.”
Brown added:- “That's three winners for Joseph and he's been brilliant to me giving me all these good rides.
“Never in my life did I think I'd get to ride a favourite at Punchestown for Joseph O'Brien and credit to him for putting me up.
“I schooled him at home, he's a grand horse and he jumps well and travels well. Joseph just said be in the box seat, they went a gallop and I just took a nice seat behind the leaders.
“He jumped brilliant, he took me to the front and he was very tough the way he battled on. It shows how much heart the horse has.”
