La Touche win dedicated to John Thomas

Winner of the Ladies Cup here last year and of the cross-country at Cheltenham, Big Shu signalled that he could be the dominant force of this sphere for quite some time by landing the Avon Ri Corporate & Leisure Resort Steeplechase for the La Touche Cup at Punchestown.

Still only an eight-year-old, the big Milan gelding loves this game and he's a serious operator over the varied obstacles.

He did lose his hind legs briefly on landing at a bank, but travelling with such ease he took Barry Cash to the front and went on from some way out.

The four mile one furlong contest was then basically 'in the bag' for the 9/2 co-favourite but he stepped-into the last to give his pursuers a chance.

It would have been a travesty of justice though had Big Shu lost out and the 'right' result was registered when he clung on by a length and a quarter from Another Jewel (winner of this event in 2011).

Successful handler Peter Maher explained: "That's a win for all hunting men – myself and Barry are both hunting men.

"I'm based locally near Mondello – where they race the cars - so the horse would be well used to the noise.

"Cheltenham was pretty good but this is special as it's my home track.

"My girlfriend Caroline (Woods) spotted him in the sales. We bought him for Hugh Duffy who owns the greyhound stadium.

"He showed a bit of form in his younger days but then he had problems. He's just got better as he's got older – a bit of age you know – he's just a brilliant horse.

"He's won for me at Cheltenham and Punchestown now – we have enough of these races without travelling further afield.

"John Thomas (McNamara) started this horse off for me. He rode him in his first two point-to-points. That win is dedicated to John Thomas because it was him really that got that horse going for me."

Barry Cash was keeping up a proud family tradition in this historic contest and he commented: "Peter said after he was second to Arabella Boy one day here, that he'd win in Cheltenham and that he'd win the La Touche, so he got things pretty right there!

"He's an inexperienced horse really with just four runs over fences. This is his fourth go over banks and he's so big, it just takes a bit of time to 'back off.'

"On better ground he'd jump better.

"It was the trainer's instructions to go on so early – I usually do go early anyway.

"He said to go on, give him a breather and let them come and chase me. It worked out to a tee.

"I just want to mention J T (McNamara) too. J T is king of this game and we're only blow-ins." (EM)