McGarvey looking forward to another great thrill on Field

6.40 Punchestown
Ryanair Novice Chase | 2m | Grade 1 | 5yo+ | RTE2/ATR

Jody McGarvey has so far ridden only one horse for Willie Mullins. Fortunately for the talented young jockey, that horse is Great Field.

Three missions together have produced three wins, all of them hallmarked by the extremely enthusiastic six-year-old's bold front-running style, which is good, and a tendency to make a handful of shocking jumping errors, which is not so good.

Most famously at Leopardstown's final fence last month, McGarvey performed a feat of remarkable acrobatics to keep the partnership intact. At Thurles next time there was a desperate blunder at the second-last fence, but it did not stop the JP McManus-owned trailblazer scoring by 32 lengths.

Upped in class for the Grade 1 Ryanair Novice Chase, McGarvey is set for another exciting experience.

Jody McGarvey: swooped late and fast to land the RYBO Handicap Hurdle on Spades Or Trumps at Fairyhouse on SaturdayCredit: Patrick McCann

"He's got so much speed and is a great thrill to ride," said McGarvey. "You just have to let him go and get on with it. He's so free. If you tried to hold him up you'd be fighting a losing battle.

"When his jumping is good, it's very good, but he's prone to making the odd little mistake towards the end of a race, when he can get a bit low at his fences. Even so, he has had three runs now and is getting better every time.

"The time we almost parted company at Leopardstown he was unlucky. He jumped the fence perfectly but then speed caught up with him and he knuckled."

Asked about his unbeaten association with Ireland's champion trainer, McGarvey added: "I've got a 100 per cent strike-rate for Willie – let's hope it continues on Thursday."

Hardy Ball is next best

A chunky 25lb separates the runners on official ratings with Great Field having upwards of 6lb in hand. The biggest danger on the figures is the Gordon Elliott-trained Ball D'Arc, durable enough to be having his 13th run of the season here having finished a fine third to Road To Respect at Fairyhouse 11 days ago.

World represents Altior form

This is a natural progression race for horses who contested the Racing Post Arkle Chase, but only Ordinary World, third behind Altior at Cheltenham, has headed on to Punchestown.

What they say

Gordon Elliott, trainer of A Toi Phil and Ball D'Arc
A Toi Phil probably won't run. Ball D'Arc has been a super horse for us this season. It looks a very good race and I'm just hoping for prize-money with him.

Enda Bolger, trainer of Ballyoisin
Being by Presenting, he'll appreciate this nice ground. I felt he was getting tired when he fell on heavy ground at Navan but we have freshened him up since and are very happy with him.

Willie Mullins, trainer of Great Field, Townshend and Listen Dear
Great Field steps up in class and will be putting his unbeaten record over fences on the line. He's three from three in chases and is a good jumper, although he did give us a few scares at Leopardstown and Thurles on his last two starts. Jody McGarvey has struck up a good relationship with him. The track and the trip should suit and we're very hopeful of a big run. Townshend is having only his third run over fences but he jumps well and will like the ground. Listen Dear won her first three starts over fences before disappointing at Naas last time. Being back on nicer ground will suit her but she's facing a tough enough task.