Horse Racing
Wilful could be handed Grade One mission at Punchestown
Wilful has already played a significant role in the training partnership of Jonjo and A J O’Neill, and the Cheltenham Festival hero could now be asked to deliver the duo their first top‑level success if he lines up in next month’s Punchestown Champion Hurdle.
The Punchestown Grade One is one of the possible options for the County Hurdle winner along with the Scottish Champion Hurdle on April 18 and having proven a top performer in the handicap ranks, connections would be keen to test his mettle in deeper waters.
A J O’Neill said: “He’s been a great horse and he was our first winner on the dual license in a novice hurdle at Hexham (in May 2024) and he’s a dream horse really. He tries really hard and he’s progressed really nicely, especially this season. He’s just a pleasure to have.
“We’ll have a look at either going up to Ayr or across to Punchestown. They are the two most likely options for him so we’ll keep an eye on each and make a plan from there.
“We’ve got the option of the Scottish Champion Hurdle, which is a handicap or there’s the Punchestown Champion Hurdle. He was second at Punchestown last year and ran a cracking race in a handicap, but he’s already won two handicaps this season so it would be nice to try him up in grade.
“We’ll keep our options open with him. We had him in the Champion Hurdle for a good section of the entry stages and we have considered stepping him up previously. He did very well at Cheltenham so we’ll definitely have a look at the Grade One (in Ireland).”
Jonnywho was another of the Jackdaws Castle team to strike at the Cheltenham Festival when landing the Ultima and all roads now lead to the Randox Grand National, where he is no bigger than a 16-1 chance with the bookmakers.
Currently number 36 on the list, the nine-year-old needs two to come out to be guaranteed a spot in the final line-up, but his team feel he has the attributes to tackle Aintree’s marathon having performed with credit in the Irish equivalent last season.
O’Neill added: “We’ve took him out of the Irish National and we’re aiming for Aintree, he just needs a couple to come out.
“He jumps and stays and obviously it would be a good step up in trip from what he is used to running over but he put in a very nice performance in the Irish National last year when fifth and I would certainly love to see him in the race.”
