Andrewjames enjoys shock win at Punchestown

Andrewjames, formerly trained in England by Paul Nicholls and Mark Pitman, sprang a 33-1 surprise in the Kildare Hunt Club Chase over the banks course at the Punchestown Festival opened today.

The 10-year-old grey, trained by Peter McCreery and ridden by 7lb claiming amateur Jeremy Cash, gamely held the late challenge of the 7-4 favourite Takagi.

Andrewjames, who paid more than 90-1 on the Tote, led before the final turn of the unique track but had to be kept up to his work to deny Takagi, ridden by Davy Russell, by a length.

Native Beat (8-1) was a length and a half further back in third.

Cash said: “He travelled really well and I thought I might have gone on a bit too soon, but he was going so well I managed to hang on.”

McCreery added: “He had schooled well over the banks and we were delighted with the way he jumped.

“He’s always promised to be a good horse. He used to be with Paul Nicholls and ran some good races for him.

“When he gets to the front he stops, but Jeremy gave him a great ride and the ground was ideal.

“If he’s alive and well on Thursday, he’ll run in the La Touche Cup over four miles of the same course.”