Ballynagour primed for Punchestown trip

David Pipe is targeting the Bibby Financial Services Ireland Punchestown Gold Cup with Ballynagour following his tremendous effort in defeat at Aintree last week.

Off the track since being pulled up in the Hennessy at Newbury last November, Ballynagour pushed Silviniaco Conti all the way in the Betfred Bowl on Merseyside and having had such a light campaign, Pipe is keen to send him to Ireland at the end of the month.

He said: “It was a fantastic run the other day. Ballynagour came out of Liverpool well and we are definitely thinking of a trip to Punchestown.