Sully D'oc and Simon Torrens© Photo Healy Racing
Champion Conditional Jockey Simon Torrens bagged his second Punchestown festival winner today, steering UK raider Sully D'oc to land the Pigsback.com Handicap Chase for trainer Anthony Honeyball and owner J.P. McManus.
Twenty four year old Torrens, riding his 34th winner this term and successful yesterday on McManus' Guiri, steered Anglo-Arab bred Sully D'oc to a two and a quarter lengths win over Raya Time
Honeyball, whose father John trained legendary 1973 Gold Cup winner The Dikler, was registering a first Irish winner and later stated “he's always been a lovely horse and this season has made a bit more of a man of him, he's done Cheltenham, Aintree and today.
“The main person that needs a mention is Richie McLernon who has ridden him in all his work and has schooled him, he's done a lovely job on him.
“He ran really well at Aintree. I felt he'd freshen up for coming over here and it would be his last run of the season before he goes back to Martinstown.
“Cheekpieces just came into mind a few days ago and I mentioned it to Frank (Berry, McManus' racing manager), whether they made any difference I don't know.
“The way the race was run suited him compared to an end to end gallop at Aintree. They went nice and sensible pace and that helped, he filled him up and gave him confidence. He jumped well.
“We've had two seconds with Regal Encore here before and were beaten a neck and a short-head in a mares handicap here with Cresswell Breeze so we've been hitting the bar so I'm delighted.
“If the races were all run like that in Ireland he'd maybe be as well to come over here a few more times to other meetings and we'd certainly try and come back here next year.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
