It was a memorable day for jockey Iain Cribbin who registered his first winner on the track when landing the Stanley Asphalt Bishopcourt Cup Hunters Chase on day four of the Punchestown Festival.
The Ted Walsh trained gelding who travelled strongly throughout came with this challenge approaching the straight.
The eight-year-old had to battle hard on the run-in to beat previous winner the Peter Maher trained Alpha Male.
It was a special victory for the Cribbin family, as he is owned by Peter Cribbin, father of the winning rider.
An Droichead Gorm the short-priced favourite who made most of the running, didn’t jump well and a bad mistake at the third last sealed his faith and he finished seventh.
It was the winning riders first ever ride on the track and he told Racing TV; ‘I’m speechless at the moment, it’s just unreal. I must mention Ted first, he is an absolute legend, we all love him in the yard and he’s a great teacher, he’s just brilliant.’
‘I have been with Ted for two years, from the time I first stepped foot in the yard, he has just been brilliant, and I can’t thank him enough. ‘
‘I’ve only had sixteen rides in point-to-points and hopefully this win will keep me going!’
‘I had to do my best to try and avoid the loose horse, he was jumping left, then jumping right and I was trying to keep an eye on Barry O’Neill on my inside. To just deny Barry O’Neill in a finish for me as an amateur is a real privilege.’
A delighted winning owner Peter Cribbin said afterwards; ‘We have been trying to win this race for many of a year. We got around a few times, but the rest is history after today!’
