James's Gate sheds maiden tag over Punchestown hurdles
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James's Gate provided the connections of Fastorslow with a timely boost when he made a winning comeback from a lengthy absence in the Punchestown Festival 2025 Tickets On Sale Maiden Hurdle.
A talented bumper performer for Willie Mullins in 2022, finishing third to his then stablemate Facile Vega in the championship event at Cheltenham, he was then off for the best part of two years before returning for Martin Brassil.
He finished a fine fourth on that occasion in a hot Leopardstown maiden hurdle and was then pitched into the Grade Two Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle and finished third to Mystical Power, where he was beaten over 20 lengths and not seen since.
Sent off a 6-1 chance in the hands of Ricky Doyle, he travelled sweetly throughout and when the keen-going Joystick faded, James's Gate was allowed to coast to a four-and-a-half-length success over the favourite Forty Coats, despite a mistake at the last.
Brassil and James's Gate's owners Sean and Bernadine Mulryan have recently been forced to rule their top-class staying chaser Fastorslow out for the rest of the season.
"He's had his problems, but he's been in a good place since he came back this summer," said Brassil of the winner.
"We know he has raw talent from his bumper days and we'll see how much we can capitalise on that.
"I'd like to see his jumping improve a bit, but he could be a talented horse going forward.
"He's a nice horse to have around the place, he's a lovely individual."