Disko lights up Champion Novice Chase for Noel Meade

Noel Meade's Cheltenham third, behind Yorkhill, Disko landed the Grade 1 Growise Champion Novice Chase at Punchestown this evening with Bryan Cooper on board.

Disko took the lead at the third last and went on to win by five lengths from two other Meath-trained runners - Tony Martin's Anibale Fly and Meade's  A Genie In Abottle.

“I've always loved him and he's been the apple of my eye for a long time,” said Noel Meade about the grey six-year-old, perhaps the fondness for the grey horse goes back to his first horse, Tu Va which was also grey?

“We've had a great season and will be kind of sorry to see the end of it in a way.

'Gigginstown have been very good to us with the horses they've sent to us, it's easier to train good ones than bad ones,' he added.

Today's attendance was 19,686, compared to 19,825 on the same day last year.

Thanks to Shona Dreaper for all the regular updates from the first day of the Festival.