Power Roche a rising star to watch.

Ireland seems able to produce no end of top young conditional jockeys but potentially a real star has come to the fore in recent months in the shape of Tiernan Power Roche. It will be very interesting what he gets on in the Martin Pipe Conditional Handicap Hurdle at the Festival

After gaining great experience as an amateur Tiernan turned to the conditional jockeys ranks in August 2024, immediately getting off the mark. In just 7 months he has notched up 20 winners including 5 winners at Punchestown with a strike rate of over 20% at the course. Over 25 trainers have already used his services with his main retainer Philip Rothwell first in the queue

He has 5 rides at the track over the next 48 hours but just one on Thursday the rapidly improving 8 year old gelding Duffys Hodey who bids for his 4th win of the season have been ridden to victory in the other three by Tiernan.

Trained by Rothwell his best performance was his victory at Punchestown last time out stepped up in trip to 2m4f he was confidently ridden and although a mistake at the last by the runner up made the job easy, i thought he had any amount in hand.

He goes up another 2f on Thursday but I think he is one of those horses that has suddenly found its way and a further rise in the weights of 9lb should not stop him especially with Power Roche in the saddle.

2pt win Duffys Hodey 4.25 Punchestown BOG after 8.00am