Top marks for The Truant's jumping at Punchestown The Truant (15/2) has had a productive year and added to two Flat wins in 2025 when landing Punchestown's William Hill Each Way Extra Challenge Series Handicap Hurdle over two miles. Eoin Staples settled him in mid-division and he made steady headway to lead approaching the last before being ridden out to beat Eastmore by a length and a quarter. Trainer Paul Flynn, who trains the grey for the Thirteen Apostles Racing Syndicate, said: “He had been running really well on the Flat all year but had been disappointing over hurdles. “That ground was perfect for him. The ground during the year was getting too tacky and he was just struggling on it. He needs proper good ground over hurdles nowadays. “If he had better form over hurdles, he jumps a fence really well and I would have chanced chasing. “I knew this place can produce lovely ground at this time of year so it was worth a shot, otherwise I was giving up with the hurdles. It’s great to see, he done it so well. “He’s in the online sale next week. If he gets sold on Tuesday, he’ll be gone. “I think he’d win hurdles all day in England, just with the way the ground is — it’s nicer ground over there. He’d also be a lovely horse for the all-weather over two miles over there. “Their winter tracks can be good ground but over here, bar Thurles, you won’t get much better ground and it’s much better racing too.” Additional reporting by Gary Carson
