Gleesons triumph in opening race thriller

The opening race of the Punchestown festival produced a thrilling finish with Just Wait And See clinging on to record a victory for father and son team John and Billy Gleeson.

The 16/1 shot was sent to the front three from home and travelled strongly at the head of affairs jumping the penultimate obstacle. Blue Templar stayed on to throw down a challenge at the final fence but Just Wait And See held on gamely in the closing stages to post a head victory over the 7/4 favourite.

Billy Gleeson works for Willie Mullins and rode his first 'track' winner for the champion trainer when scoring on Castlebawn West in a Clonmel bumper late last month.

The winning rider said:- “We've had the horse since he was four. He's a real fun horse, a very clever jumper, and God knows how many fences he's jumped in his life.

“I've been with Willie (Mullins) for the last two years and things are going well lately.”

His father added:- “He had a great run in Killinick over the banks (fourth last month) and got experience then. He loves it over banks.

“I said to him to ride him up there and he'd jump away grand.

“I only have a handful of horses to keep an interest in the game. This has given me the biggest buzz I've ever had in my life.”

(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)