Racing community pay tribute to Cork jockey Michael O'Sullivan at Punchestown

Racing resumed at Punchestown on Thursday after a poignant week for the tightly-knit racing community. 

A minute's silence was observed in memory of Michael O'Sullivan ahead of racing today with the jockeys wearing black armbands.

Paul Townend initiated a double with High-Class Hero in the beginners' chase. He completed his double on the day's showstopper Jade De Grugy, in the featured Quevega Mares' Hurdle. 

Willie Mullins completed a treble with the much-vaunted point-to-point recruit Gameofinches He was a really impressive winner of the concluding bumper. 

He is now 4/1 favourite with some firms for the Cheltenham bumper in March. He never came off the bridle and justified his glowing home reputation.

Jade De Grugy was the star of the show today, landing the Grade 3 Quevega Mares' Hurdle. She'd been absent since Fairyhouse last Easter. The 5/6 favourite was easy to back with lots of Evens available in the ring. 

She’d won the Grade One Mares' Novices' hurdle in Fairyhouse and as a result, had to concede weight all round. She came there hard on the bridle between horses at the second last. She quickly put the race to bed as she pinged the last. She pulled six lengths clear of Mousey Brown who belied her odds of 40/1 running a blinder in second. 

Mullins was thrilled to see her back: "It was a lovely run, she had worked nicely at home and I was very happy with her coming here. She showed me today what she had shown me at home." 

SIGNIFICANT

Mullins expects her to improve significantly, which sets her up nicely for the Mares Hurdle. Jade De Grugy is generally 5/2 for the Mares' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. That race revolves around whether Brighterdaysahead and Lossiemouth run in the Champion Hurdle. 

My gut feeling is that one of those classy mares will run in the Champion Hurdle.

North Cork trainer Sean Joseph Allen enjoyed a red letter day with Prophet's Corner providing him with his first victory under rules.

He made all in the David Trundley Artist At Punchestown Novice Handicap Hurdle. Darragh Allen's attritional tactics paid dividends as he stretched right away in the straight. Prophet's Corner went on to record a facile eight-length success.

The winner was a well-backed 5/2 joint favourite. The winning trainer is no stranger to success with 24 winners in the point-to-point arena. The winner is suited by a test of stamina and relishes heavy ground. The winning jockey Darragh is the trainer's brother so it’s been a great day for the Allen clan.

There was a poignant moment when William Munny outclassed his rivals in the Listed novice hurdle. 

He is trained by Barry Connell in the silks worn by the late Michael O'Sullivan on so many occasions. 

Afterwards a clearly emotional Barry Connell said: “I want to say we’re all thinking about Michael O'Sullivan and his family." 

That was a sentiment endorsed by everyone in attendance here at Punchestown.