British trainers urged to get travelling after equalling Cheltenham Festival winners tally at Punchestown

Warren Greatrex has encouraged his British peers to embrace the challenge of travelling to Ireland for the big festivals after the Lambourn-based trainer claimed another big Punchestown victory with stable stalwart Bill Baxter on Saturday.

This year’s Punchestown meeting was notable for eight British winners across the five days, six of them in handicaps, and equalled the number of home-trained winners at the Cheltenham Festival.

“It was definitely noticeable that there were more British runners this year, and I think it’s brilliant,” said Greatrex. “Competition is good and I think it makes for a really good atmosphere at these festivals when it is Britain versus Ireland. It’s friendly rivalry and strong competition, and that can only be good for the sport. Everyone I spoke to really enjoyed it. Success breeds success and there will be other owners who want to have a go at it now.

“Historically, the bigger yards haven’t travelled with their horses and probably haven’t had to do it as much because they are concentrating so much on the British programme. I don’t believe travelling is a big issue when you see the Flat horses who go all around the world.

“I'd say it's more that the bigger trainers are concentrating on the British championship because I noticed Dan Skelton hasn’t really attacked the Irish scene yet, but then he has been trying to do everything he can to win the British trainers' title. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him send more of his horses over to Ireland after he wins the trainers' championship, which he will do.”

Reflecting on the possible reasons for such a strong showing by the raiders at handicap level, Greatrex said: “I noticed from my part that the Irish handicapper gave all of mine a good chance – they were all dropped a couple of pounds. I know it's relative because obviously when the Irish come over here we give them a few pounds more, but maybe in going to Ireland we are slightly less exposed than the Irish runners.”

Warren Greatrex (right) with Bill Baxter and winning connections at the Punchestown festivalCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Greatrex is no stranger to success on Irish soil having won the Grade 1 Flogas Novice Chase with La Bague Au Roi in 2019 and the Grade 1 Stayers Hurdle at Punchestown with One Track Mind in 2016.

Bill Baxter has given the Greatrex's stable some memorable days in recent years, having won the Topham at Aintree in 2023 and now providing festival success at Punchestown.

“It was great to win with Bill Baxter, he has been a star for us,” said Greatrex. “It really capped off what has been a good season for us and having a big winner at a major festival is magic. He's won two big races for us so I'm chuffed for him and his owners.

"The plan for next season is to possibly go hunter chasing with him. He could be a lot of fun in that division.”

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