VICTORY in the La Touche Cup could hardly have been appreciated by anyone more than it was for J.J. Slevin.

When asked if he’d ever consider becoming a trainer in future as part of The Big Interview in The Irish Field back in January 2024, the multiple Grade 1-winning rider said: “I don’t know, but if I was to train, my dream would be to have five horses who I’d train and own myself.

“I’d run them in point-to-points, hunter chases and banks races. That’d be something I’d get a wicked kick out. The La Touche is the race I’m mad to win as a rider. I’m not sure Joseph [O’Brien] will have something for it this year, but I might have to try twisting his arm to run Busselton.”

The power of manifestation bore fruit for Slevin when partnering Busselton (7/1) to victory in the 2025 renewal of the Mongey Communications-backed prize, with O’Brien now in line for a highly unusual La Touche-2000 Guineas double this week.

It had looked as though Desertmore House, a stayer the winning rider knows well, might spoil the party when throwing down a serious challenge late on. In the battle of the Kerry National winners, though, it was the Friendship Partnership-owned eight-year-old who pulled out more to score by three quarters of a length.

This triumph was of added significance for Slevin too, as his father Shay trained Treo Eile to win the 2017 running, and he previously missed out on an intended ride aboard 2019 winner Ballyboker Bridge, having been injured in a fall earlier on the same card.

“I’ve been watching these races for as long as I can remember so it’s special to win it,” Slevin said.

“He just got bogged down in the ground at Cheltenham [when pulled up in the Cross Country]. When he went out on the track, he just sank in it. I got worried when I saw Desertmore House coming to the last because I knew how well he had schooled for Martin [Brassil].

“Joseph can do anything, between Melbourne Cups and Irish Derbys - winning a La Touche around Punchestown over four miles and a furlong is unreal.”

Sunshine surprise

The afternoon got even better for Slevin and O’Brien when 33/1 outsider Cottesloe Sunshine delivered a career-best in the Listed Close Brothers Irish EBF Mares Novice Hurdle, lowering the colours of a running-on Mozzies Sister and disappointing 8/13 favourite Sixandahalf. The Orla and Nicholas Fahy-owned six-year-old hadn’t been seen since finishing 10th in handicap company at the Dublin Racing Festival.

“A great ride by J.J. and a very tough filly,” said O’Brien.

“We were coming here fresh and a lot of the competitors had been to all the Festivals over the last few months. I’d be lying if I said I expected her to win but we thought we might run well. She’ll have her summer holidays now.”

Sensational week for British raiders continues

WHAT a week it’s been for the British visitors - and not just for British-trained runners. Newly-crowned champion jockey of Britain Sean Bowen got in on the act when partnering the Tony Martin-trained Putapoundinthejar to victory in the two-mile Specialist Group Handicap Hurdle.Nicely backed late on from 12/1 to 17/2, the Ray Grehan-owned novice got up in the nick of time to break the heart of 50/1 shot Battle Of Ridgeway, taking advantage of an attractive handicap mark of 117.

Martin said: “Sean has ridden for us before. On the bend turning in, I thought we’d sit and suffer and take our chances, but the jockey knew better and it all worked out. I’d hope that he’ll make a chaser in time. He’s a typical Walk In The Park who can be on edge until he gets cantering and then is straightforward.”

Henderson on target

There was a nice confidence booster for Sean’s brother James when managing to get Jeriko Du Reponet (13/2 joint-favourite) back on winning tracks in the Listed Conway Piling Handicap Hurdle - delivering a one-two for Nicky Henderson ahead of Constitution Hill’s crunch clash with State Man 24 hours later.

It was a direct reversal of the Pertemps Final result here, with the Doddiethegreat finishing second this time around. This was the best British handicap result of the week, with One Big Bang reaching third for James Owen and Beat The Bat also taking home prize money in fifth for Harry Fry.

Henderson said: “Both horses have now got their day in the sun, which is terrific. Jeriko must go back over fences because he’s good at it. It just went wrong for him at Sandown [when pulled up].”

Petit perfect

There was a treble on the day for J.P. McManus, kicked off with a win for Petit Tonnerre in the €50,000 Frontline Security Handicap Chase as he got on top close home to pick off Eddie Cawley’s Dont Go Yet.

Mirazur West, a farewell ride for the retiring Jody McGarvey, was the better fancied of the McManus pair as 3/1 favourite, but he couldn’t match well-weighted winner off 10st 7lb. Richie McLernon has been enjoying a terrific season in Britain and this winner, trained by Jonjo and A.J. O’Neill, put a bow on it.

Fehily’s flyer

A sixth British winner across the opening three days came in the JP & M Doyle Bumper when the Alan King-trained Baron Noir pulled off an ambitious raid on the meeting for the extremely enthusiastic Noel Fehily Racing Syndicate.

Rob James was cool on the 12/1 shot, who took advantage of the Gary and Josh Moore-trained El Cairos (SP 9/2) hanging late on and 5/4 favourite Koktail Brut blowing out.

Fehily said: “This has been the plan, the syndicate were keen to come. We’d love to bring more over in the future.”