A Punch that Dowling won't forget Despite his pretty obvious appeal on paper Pack The Punch went off a 10/1 chance for the Roscommonracecourse.ie Flat Race. There was inexperience in terms of man and beast to overcome but the Teofilo gelding and James Dowling combined to rise above such considerations and triumph in the penultimate event on Tuesday evening's card. Owned and bred by Jim and Jackie Bolger and trained by Des McDonogh, the four-year-old topped the plenty that still held chances late in this two and a half miler and eventually crossed the line a length and three parts to the good from favourite Thats Nice. For Dowling it was a first victory in the plate and the Kilkenny man stated: "I've been with Jim Bolger for fourteen years on and off and I've completed a post-grad in Psychology. "I'm extremely thankful to Jim and Des for giving me the opportunity. It's better than winning any hurling match." Meanwhile McDonogh said of the victorious debutant: "We have visions of him being a top steeplechaser. "He is only four but he looks six. He is a beautiful horse with a gorgeous temperament and we expected him to run well today. "It is great to get such well-bred horses off Jim and thank God for it. We are in no rush with him. He was given a grand, patient ride." (DM & EM)
