South Westmeath interest in opening day at Punchestown

A horse part-owned by a Drumraney man will be carrying the hopes of South Westmeath in Punchestown tomorrow (Tuesday).

Lecky Watson is among nine runners expected to line up for the Grade 1 Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase on the opening day of the Punchestown Festival.

Having triumphed at the Cheltenham Festival in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase for Willie Mullins, it's no surprise that the seven-year-old is second favourite with many bookies for the Punchestown equivalent.

Lecky Watson is owned by the Carlow-based Slaneyville Syndicate, which is primarily composed of members of the Byrne family, from Tullow, Co. Carlow, as well as PJ Murphy, from Drumraney.

PJ's late wife, Catherine, was a member of the Byrne family.

PJ is well known for his long association with the South Westmeath Hunt Point to Point.

The Grade 1 Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase is off at 4.50pm