FINISHING second is always frustrating and, while most readers will have been delighted to see Derek O’Connor win the Champion Hunters’ Chase at Punchestown last Friday on the Peggy Hagan-owned, Graham McKeever-trained Balnaslow, spare a thought for the runner-up who was only beaten a neck.

Trained by Philip Hobbs, Mendip Express was ridden by his Downpatrick-born owner David Maxwell, one of the very few true amateurs left in the sport and a man who has invested plenty of money in the game. During the season just finished, he rode four winners from 23 rides on the track, partnered five second-placed horses and four third-placed runners.