Jetson stuns at Punchestown finish line

Very few events can cause more than 16,000 people to fall silent, but when a crowd has come to the races to acclaim a queen, only to watch her carried out on her shield, a shocked hush is the only appropriate response.

That’s exactly what Davy Russell and Jetson heard as they passed the finish line in the Ladbrokes.com World Hurdle ahead of Quevega, but the throngs had recovered their composure by the time Russell and the winner returned to the winners’ enclosure and, watched by Taoiseach Enda Kenny, they roared their full-throated acclaim.

It was a poignant success for trainer Jessica Harrington, whose late husband Johnny had suggested running Jetson in the race before he passed away last month.