Vedettariat one to note at a big price

Day three of the Punchestown festival, and it has to be said that the conditions at the track over the first couple of days were a credit to the staff at the course. There was a great covering of grass, and it was like a carpet for both days’ racing - it was in unbelievable condition.

It was great to get back in the winner’s enclosure with Bellshill yesterday. They went a good gallop, and I took my time, but that was my intention. He was very tough and will make some chaser next season.

Djakadam ran very well to finish second in the Gold Cup, but the winner, Carlingford Lough, seems to win a lot of Grade Ones. My horse ran an awful lot better than he did in Aintree, and it was good to see him back in that form, but the ground was far from ideal. Maybe it will be third time lucky in a Cheltenham Gold Cup next year.