Search
Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
- Home
- News
Donal Murphy
Supporter prevails in battle of the veterans
Old Supporter (left) and Ballyfinboy jump the last together
© Photo Healy Racing
Veterans battled out the finish to the Tramore Bookmakers Handicap Chase, with the thirteen-year-old Old Supporter just getting the better of twelve-year-old Ballyfinboy
Successful in this race in 2015, the Helen Markham trained victor was last seen finishing a good second to Ringrone Castle at Roscommon earlier this month.
Sent straight to the front by Mark Bolger, the son of Sunshine Street made a mistake five out and was headed after the next by Castlewhite
He was pushed along before two out, and soon disputed the lead, keeping on best on the run-in to prevail by a short head.
The aforementioned Ballyfinboy was returned at 20/1, while the eleven-year-old Naughty Molly (6/1) was another two and a quarter lengths back in third. Black Jewel (10/1) completed the places in fourth, while the 6/4 favourite Wee Tiger fell at the first.
Markham said: "That was great and I'm absolutely delighted. He is thirteen and we were just hopeful. He was in great form. The ground was probably a little on the soft side for him. He loves rattling off the ground.
"He battled great. He won this race in 2015, we'll hardly be back again next year but you'd never know.
"He is in at Killarney next Thursday, and we'll see how he comes out of this. He is just ground dependent and loves summer ground."