Gleeson caps fantastic week with bumper win

Cheltenham Festival winning jockey John Gleeson rounded off a week he will never forget when bringing Factual Fact from last to first to take the concluding www.thurlesraces.ie(Pro/Am) INH Flat Race at Thurles.

On an afternoon, when five festival winning jockeys got on the scoresheet, teenager Gleeson became the sixth when guiding the Henry De Bromhead trained newcomer to an impressive victory.

Held up in rear for much of the contest, Gleeson judged the pace to perfection, delivering his charge with a well timed challenge early in the straight before powering away from the field.

John Gleeson said: "I thought it was a smart performance. Henry said to drop him, ride him with plenty of confidence and he was impressive.

"Being by Authorized you'd think he would have plenty speed and he is a half-brother to a horse who won on the all-weather so there is plenty speed in the family. He is a baby and is still green but did it well. He will come on a pile from that."

He added "Cheltenham was brilliant, it is still surreal and has yet to sink in. A lot of happening so I was trying to focus on today and we'll keep looking forward now. I've my Leaving Cert to do in a few months so I better put my head down for that as well.

"No decision has been made yet regarding Punchestown for A Dream To Share."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes