Successful Punchestown raid for Indiana Jones

Well-related 132-rated maiden chaser Indiana Jones got off the mark over fences today, landing Punchestown's Concept Colours Rated Novice Chase for trainer Mouse Morris, owners Robcour and jockey Darragh O'Keeffe.

A year to the day since completing an unfortunate hat-trick of consecutive chase falls, Indiana Jones (10/11f) today tracked leader Gallyhill (2/1) in the five-runner race, went by his principal rival before the last, and scored readily by 10 lengths.

Winning connections have strong big-race links, as Indian Jones is a sibling to Cheltenham antepost 'banker' Mighty Potter, yesterday's impressive bumper winner Brighterdaysahead while half-brother and stablemate French Dynamite is a 10/1 chance for next month's Ryanair Chase.

Morris, with Champion Chase, Stayers Hurdle, Gold Cup and Grand National wins in each of the past four decades, said “Indiana Jones jumped well. We'll try and find another race like that or go for a handicap.”

Quotes from Gary Carson