'I'm annoyed at myself for running Bob Olinger - I've no idea what the issue is'

Henry de Bromhead has criticised his own decision to run Bob Olinger in the Champion Novice Chase at Punchestown on Tuesday, which saw last year’s Ballymore winner fail to finish, and said he “has no idea” what the issue is with his star novice.

The trainer was happy beforehand that Bob Olinger had overcome a muscle tear picked up in the fortuitous win over Galopin Des Champs in the Turners Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham and the seven-year-old was subsequently sent out a 6-5 favourite to maintain his unbeaten record over fences.

However, Bob Olinger again failed to travel with any fluency and was pulled up three fences from home by Rachael Blackmore, with Capodanno subsequently triumphing under Mark Walsh.

Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase result and replay

Almost 24 hours after the race, De Bromhead was still annoyed with himself for running Bob Olinger but insisted that the horse had “looked great” in schooling heading into the festival.

The trainer said: “I’m very disappointed and annoyed in myself for running him. To get it that wrong is very disappointing.

“I said to myself that if I had any doubt I wouldn’t run him, but we were happy. He’d been schooling well and he looked great. I was happy but I got it completely wrong and I’m disappointed I was so far off the mark.

Bob Olinger: was pulled up at PunchestownCredit: Mike Hewitt (Getty Images)

“I’ve got no idea [what the issue is] but I’ve got five or six months to think about it now. We went through him with a fine tooth comb after Cheltenham, obviously there is something amiss. I genuinely don’t know.”

Asked if the issue affecting Bob Olinger is more complex than him simply not enjoying jumping fences, the trainer told Racing TV: “Maybe not, we’re seriously considering that.

"We’ve got loads to contemplate over the summer and maybe something will come to light. I’m disappointed for the horse and the connections but hopefully we’ll bounce back.”

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