Football fanatic ‘Joxer’ is set for a lively summer and will be hoping for a ‘rub of the green’ similar to that afforded to his equine namesake in the INH Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle at Punchestown today. Joxer the horse, ridden by Bryan Cooper, was cutting into trail-blazing front runner Rory O’Moore’s clear lead when Downthescad fell at the fourth last flight.

The winner avoided the fall but eventual one length runner-up Allure Of Illusion (under Ruby Walsh) was badly impeded in the incident. Walsh’s mount did nonetheless perform with great credit to strongly press the winner on the run-in.

Afterwards winning trainer and Thurles based Bill Harney said “he’s not too bad and Bryan (Cooper) said there’s plenty more to come. He’s still very green but has loads of ability.

“I was a bit cocky going to Leopardstown with him and he wasn’t as well tuned up as he should have been. There is plenty of time to make plans and if I to my local pub tonight they’ll all be telling me what to do with him!”