Rathlin soars over a fence at Punchestown© Photo Healy Racing
A great exhibition of jumping saw Rathlin maroon his six rivals in the two mile six chase at Punchestown.
With Seabass - placed in last year’s English Grand National - taken out due to the quick ground, punters steamed into Jetson who was sent off 11/10 favourite for Jessica Harrington and Barry Geraghty.
Placed all four times he has run on good ground, the eight-year-old was expected to run a big race. However, he raced in rear throughout and some untidy jumps kept him there as he couldn’t go with the leaders.
Rathlin (2/1) had Shabra Charity for company before he powered away from three out to win easily by 19 lengths under Mark Enright in the Gigginstown colours. Treacle got up for second at 16/1, beating Supreme Doc by two lengths.
A delighted trainer Mouse Morris commented: “I’ll talk to the owner to see whether he gets a holiday now.
“He seemed to love that ground. I don’t know what happened in Navan (fourth on April 6). Maybe it was too soft for him. He’s a different horse now.
“He was entitled to win that race, maybe not by 19 lengths. He was impressive.”
This was Rathlin’s seventh career victory. The eight-year-old won a Grade 2 novices’ chase at Naas in February last year. His most recent success was last time on May 12 in Killarney over an extended two and a half miles.
Morris has been a man to follow at Punchestown. Going into today he had a healthy level-stake profit of 24.63 euro from his 11 winners since 2009.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
