De Bromhead and O'Keeffe continue rich vein of form at Punchestown

Willie Mullins said he had considered putting Lot Of Joy away for the winter but will not be doing so after her performance in the Frontline Security Grabel Mares’ Hurdle at Punchestown. 

The Big Westerner, with Darragh O'Keeffe up, jumps the last on way to winning the INH Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle during day two of the Punchestown Winter Festival. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Henry de Bromhead and Darragh O’Keeffe are enjoying a particularly rich vein of form and doubtlessly the most pleasing aspect of the run is that many of the winners are young, unexposed horses with the potential to make an impact at much higher level.

The Big Westerner, who carries the Cheltenham Festival-winning colours of Kieran Mariga, became the latest to put her name on that list of promising individuals as she travelled strongly and picked up in the style of a high-class mare to see off favourite Argento Boy in the I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle. The win put O’Keeffe six clear of his nearest rival at this early stage of the jockeys’ championship.