French bred horses continued their domination of Punchestown’s card today when So Young became that country’s fourth consecutive winner, in the punchestown.com Festival Offers Novice Hurdle.

The 1/6 favourite, under Paul Townend, raced prominently before striding on before the final flight, recording an easy five lengths win.

Winning trainer Willie Mullins was absent but owner Luke McMahon stated “Willie was in favour of coming here instead of taking on his Zaidpour in the Deloitte Novice Hurdle on Hennessy Day as he says it better to win two races than one!”

He added “he showed today that he isn’t slow but we’ll more than likely go for the 2m5f Neptune Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham. He is very exciting and Paul (Townend) was impressed.”

“He was well bought by Harrold Kirk from France and once the deal was done, his French trainer (A. Couetil) wanted to run him once more – he said he would cancel the deal if he ran badly and wouldn’t change the price if he won!” Which he did!

So Young remains unchanged at 12/1 with Stan James Bookmakers for the Neptune Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Thomas Weekes