THERE were plenty within the racing world who didn’t know Andy Lynch from Bet Lynch before Zabana dumped Davy Russell at the start of the JLT Chase, and didn’t care less until the seven-year-old legitimised the subsequent anger and disappointment by winning the Growise Champion Novice Chase at Punchestown 10 days ago.

Lynch only turned 70 at the beginning of April and was having his first Grade 1 success as a trainer. It was strange though, because the horse had been in much better shape at Cheltenham, better than Lynch felt he had ever had a horse going to a race, and so while the breakthrough success was a thrilling landmark to be relished and a balm for the wound, that balm also acted as a mild irritant.