Poet prevails in Punchestown opener Longhouse Poet dug deep to get off the mark over fences in the opening beginners chase at Punchestown this afternoon. Martin Brassil's charge was to the fore throughout in the three-mile-one contest and responded gamely when tackled by Run Wild Fred turning for home. The 10/3 shot was slightly untidy at the last fence but found plenty on the run-in to assert and record a length-and-a-half success under Mark Walsh. Longhouse Poet was making his fourth start over fences and had been placed on his two most recent outings. Brassil said:- “He’s a horse that we always thought would need a trip and he handles the ground. He had the experience from his few runs over fences and he was fit. “I don’t like seeing horses getting beaten three or four times in a row. It’s nice to get their head in front and it can change their whole approach to things. “He’s not a Grade 1 horse so we may look at novice handicaps in the spring over an extended trip.” (Quotes by Alan Magee)
