Veteran Ballyboker Bridge sums up the spirit of Punchestown banks

In last week's column, I mentioned how the Punchestown festival has managed to keep its links with the past while also being a perfect seasonal finale for the best of Ireland's jumping talent.

Last week's meeting proved this really works. The Grade 1 races were of a high standard, the handicaps were as competitive as you would expect, the bumpers were strong races in which we saw some promising young horses who look like maturing into high-class jumpers.

Among all that, we had three cross-country races and two hunter chases which provided great stories, confirming that these events are an important part of the attraction of the festival.