Jetbob runs rivals ragged in the Bishopscourt Cup

Jetbob turned the Stanley Asphalt Bishopscourt Cup into a procession as the seven-year-old ran out an impressive 11-length winner.

Sent off as a largely unconsidered 28/1 shot following a disappointing effort at Curraghmore on Easter Sunday, Jamie Scallan sent the Monksgrange maiden winner into an early lead, and it was an advantage that continued to grow.

Jumping well from the front, the Jet Away gelding had built up an unassailable advantage along the back straight, such that his rider was able to get a breather into him coming out of the back, allowing him to saunter to a double-digit winning margin. 

The odds-on favourite Hearts And Spades was unable to complete a Festival double for Ian McCarthy and Rob James, as he could never make an impression into the winner’s advantage, ultimately trailing in 11 lengths adrift of the winner, with last year’s runner-up, Squire Ohara capitalizing on the penultimate fence fall of Heartbreak Weather to finish third.

The victory of Jetbob was the second time that Scallan, handler Sean Doyle, and owner Henry Chamney have won the Bishopscourt Cup in the last three years, following the 2024 success of Private Ryan.

“I jumped out and had a rub of the second fence, so I said from there on that I wasn’t going to pull out of anywhere and jump his way,” Scallan said.

“In fairness to the horse, he jumped deadly everywhere and filled himself everywhere. I didn’t feel like I was going hard. He is a big horse, he jumped great, and travelled great.

“I had a look up the back and saw that I was plenty clear so I let him slow right down and got a breather into him, so in fairness to him, when we turned in, he picked up well for me. 

“Sean’s horses were under a bit of cloud in January and early February, but the horses at home in the point-to-points have really been flying of late.”