'It's amazing' - special family success as 7lb claimer wins on first-ever ride

Friday: Punchestown

You might not see a better reception in the Punchestown winner's enclosure for quite some time than that for Jezarus and Iain Cribbin, after the young rider won the Bishopscourt Cup on his first racecourse ride.

The 7lb claimer brought Jezarus, owned by his father Pete, into contention turning for home, and when he jumped the last alongside Alpha Male and Whisper In Court it required every ounce of energy from Cribbin to see it out to the line. His mount responded to his urgings, and prevailed by three-quarters of a length to spark scenes of jubilation.

Jezarus and Ian Cribbin head for home to record a memorable victory in the Bishopscourt CupCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Trainer Ted Walsh was full of praise for the young rider, saying: "It's a great day for him and his family. It's what the Bishopscourt Cup and yesterday's La Touche are all about. He's probably been going racing here since he was a kid, so to ride in this race is special.

"This horse had leg trouble and was off for a good while. He's run in a few point-to-points but is no star. But that doesn't matter, it's all about the Cribbin family. What a lifetime achievement it is for them to come to Punchestown and have a winner with their son riding. It's amazing."

Foley fabulous again

A great day for young riders continued when soon-to-be-crowned champion conditional-elect Jack Foley steered the Willie Mullins-trained El Barra to his second Punchestown festival success in as many years in the €100,000 EMS Copiers Novice Handicap Chase to give his trainer a tenth success of the week.

Out of his depth in the Turners Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, the Susannah Ricci gelding took up proceedings from the off under Foley and never looked back, recording a comfortable six-length success, with Busselton filling the runner-up spot.

Foley said: "That was some buzz! The plan went out the window after I had jumped the first. I was saying, 'Jeez, I'm not meant to be here!'. I didn't go fast and he just jumped so well.

"Down the back he never missed a beat and he was so clever going down to the last – it was either sort yourself out or be long. At Limerick he was very good at sorting himself out so I left it up to him."

Mullins got delayed in traffic and only just managed to catch the closing stages of his conditional's 44th winner of the season, but he was very pleased with the young Carlow rider.

The champion trainer said: "It was a very polished ride. I think I'm going to use him as my driver. He found his way around all the traffic there and I got held up in traffic and only saw the end of it! He's champion conditional rider this year which is fantastic for him."

El Barra and Jack Foley are dominant in the novice handicap chaseCredit: Patrick McCann

Dove downs Elimay

In a week of domination for the Mullins yard, as so often is the case at Punchestown, Elimay looked set to continue the trend, but Scarlet And Dove rained on her parade, recording an easy 15-length success in the Grade 2 mares' chase.

The daughter of Jeremy jumped brilliantly from the front under Bryan Cooper and gained compensation for her near-miss at Cheltenham last month, securing her first success of the season in the process.

Trainer Joseph O'Brien said: "She was excellent today. She'll probably make an excellent broodmare, but perhaps we need her to win a Grade 1 before we start thinking about that. She's a big mare and there's no reason why she can't be any better next year."

Results, replays and analysis

Racing Post Live is your ultimate racing watchalong every Saturday and during major festivals. Our experts offer uninterrupted tips, analysis and reactions to the ITV action. Subscribe to the Racing Post YouTube channel here and never miss a minute