Punchestown and possibly Galway on the radar for Jazzy Matty

A crack at the Galway Plate could be an option for Cheltenham Festival hero Jazzy Matty in the summer, with Cian Collins’ stable star having a trip to Punchestown on the more immediate agenda.

The six-year-old was a poignant winner of the Grand Annual at Prestbury Park having previously enjoyed success at the showpiece meeting in the hands of the late Michael O’Sullivan when trained by Gordon Elliott in 2023.

Jazzy Matty’s victory formed part of a remarkable afternoon last Wednesday when striking only 40 minutes after O’Sullivan’s other Festival hero Marine Nationale had taken the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

It was also a huge occasion for his Navan-based handler who was registering a breakout victory and arguably the biggest of his fledgling training career with the €50,000 buy he picked up from the high-profile Andy and Gemma Brown dispersal sale.

Jazzy Matty will now remain in handicap company as Collins sets out to discover how far up the ladder his charge can climb, with Punchestown up next before a possible Galway assignment in the summer.

“It was brilliant and couldn’t have gone any better, we were absolutely delighted. It’s slowly sinking in and it has taken a while, it’s just relief and I couldn’t believe it happened,” said Collins, reflecting on his Cheltenham experience.

“The horse has come home in great form, I would say fresher than he went and he enjoyed his trip over. He loves Cheltenham and goes round there very well. The undulations and the occasion seem to suit him and he really enjoyed it.

“We’ll probably go to Punchestown and then we’ll aim for Galway after that for possibly a go at the Plate. We’ll stick to handicaps for the time being. We just need a bit of luck and for him to stay healthy and sound and we’ll see where he ends up.”