Goodwood hope for Popular Punch
Connections of Persian Punch are hoping the veteran stayer can still return to winning ways this season.
David Elsworth’s nine-year-old is firmly established as a favourite in the hearts of the racing public after some gallant performances in recent seasons.
But he has not found the winner’s enclosure so far in 2002 and finished sixth of 15 to Royal Rebel in the Gold Cup on his last start, a rival he went agonisingly close to beating in last year’s renewal of the Ascot showpiece.
However, owner Jeff Smith told attheraces: ‘‘He’s come out of the race very well. He’s nine years of age and the suspicion must be that he’s not quite as good as he was but I’m not so sure - we’ll see in the Goodwood Cup.’’
Persian Punch took last year’s Goodwood marathon when making all and repelling Double Honour in his customary brave fashion.
He then went on to land a second Lonsdale Stakes at York before rounding off his season with a fine third in the Melbourne Cup.
