FAIR play to Lisa O’Neill.

It was a no-nonsense ride that she gave Potters Point to win the Guinness Kerry National at Listowel on Wednesday. Actually, it was similar to the ride that she gave Wrath Of Titans to win the race last year: quietly, quietly in midfield before making her move down the far side final time.

She may have got there earlier on Potters Point this year than she did on Wrath Of Titans last year, but that was the nature of the manner in which this year’s race panned out. The early pace was slower this year than it was last year.

You probably didn’t want to be in front too early, but nor did you want to be coming from too far back. Nothing was able to get into the race from the rear this year.

Fair play too to Gigginstown House and to Gordon Elliott for giving O’Neill the opportunity. There were other more experienced riders in the weigh room. She only claims 5lb this year, not 7lb like she did last year, but she is value for every ounce of that claim.

This win just provided further evidence that she can operate on big stages. Her ride on Tiger Roll to win the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham last March remains one of the rides of the 2017 Cheltenham Festival.