Punchestown Result

See also » Opera back to number 1 in Craddockstown
It's great as there are a lot of the Coopers (owners) here today,. I probably got his trip right for the winter ground. I don't think he gets any further than two miles on heavy ground. He does go on it but I kept running him over two-and-a-half and he doesn't get it. Over the winter he'll stick to any two-mile handicaps or whatever. He'll have run out of his novice career now because he wouldn't go two-and-a-half at Fairyhouse. We'll probably find something for him over Christmas. It was lovely to be able to get into this race because he's rated 150 or something rather scary like that. I'm not sure where we go but we'll find something for him. He'll probably have to go to Naas like his mother (Opera Hat)!. It's great to get him back to winning ways and I think the trainer probably made a bit of a nonsense by running him over too far on soft ground. As he's gotten older he gotten stronger. He jumped well and he battled very well today. Mrs John Harrington, trainer

The Stewards interviewed R.M. Power, rider of Woodland Opera, concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that R.M. Power was in breach of R10(3)(e) by hitting his mount in an incorrect area and therefore cautioned him having taken his good previous record into consideration.

A novice steeplechase for four yrs old and upwards
Weights - 4-y-o 10st 10lb; 5-y-o and up 11st 4lb; Mares allowed 7lb
Penalties - (handicaps excluded) Winner of three steeplechases or of a Grade 3 steeplechase 3lb extra; Of two Grade 3 steeplechases or a Grade 2 steeplechase 6lb extra; Of a Grade 1 steeplechase 8lb extra