God's Own passes the post in front© Photo Healy Racing
Maiden chaser God's Own became the second English trained Grade 1 winner at the Punchestown festival this week when causing a 25/1 upset in the top level Ryanair Novice Chase today under Barry Geraghty and for wily trainer Tom George.
The son of Oscar was a maiden coming into today's contest but in a quirk of the racing calendar seasons of Britain and Ireland, is now qualified to compete as a novice in Britain throughout the 2014/15 season due to their season having ended on April 26.
Afterwards George said “we purposely hadn't run him in a chase since February so he'll be a novice for next season and while we had a length to find with Balder Succes on the Kempton run, we knew he was a better horse now. He's a spring horse and we were happier coming here.
“Barry (Geraghty) was excellent for him but I'm sorry for Paddy Brennan (injured) who had done all the work on him; he took a lot of handling as a young horse but was always very talented.
“He's almost half-mad and Barry said when he goes down to the last, he really wants to do it. The week hadn't really gone our way so far and I just said to Barry going out 'let's complete the course on this one'!”
Geraghty was himself completing a double on the day, having partnered Macnicholson to win the opener and was also on board the other English trained Grade 1 winner of the festival, Beat That, yesterday.
God's Own's 25/1 win was following up earlier shocks wins of Jetson (20/1), Jacks Island (25/1) and Jetson (20/1) on a particularly trying day for punters.
By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson
