Macs Joy

When the jumping season proper began in autumn, Macs Joy was campaigned as a Novice Hurdler, running five times in minor events before Christmas.

He showed some promise by winning a small race at Downpatrick[4] and finishing second to the future Cheltenham Gold Cup winner War of Attrition at Navan.

[12] At Cheltenham, Macs Joy went off third favourite at odds of 7–1, but after challenging two hurdles from the finish, he could make no further impression and came home fifth to Hardy Eustace, beaten five lengths.

[14] He returned to Cheltenham for the Championship, in which his improving form saw him sent off 13-2 third favourite behind Brave Inca (whose rider Tony McCoy had referred to Macs Joy as his "main danger"[15]) and Hardy Eustace, who was seeking his third consecutive win in the race.

The three Irish horses dominated the race, but although Macs Joy was always in touch and challenged strongly in the closing stages, he was unable to catch Brave Inca, who beat him by a length, with Hardy Eustace third.

Macs Joy tracked Hardy Eustace in the early stages before moving smoothly into the lead and pulling away to win by an "impressive" four lengths from Brave Inca.

[17] Jessica Harrington acknowledged that the faster ground and slower earlier pace had allowed had enabled Macs Joy to use his greater natural speed to his advantage.

Macs Joy overtook and then pulled clear of his main rival Hardy Eustace, but was caught in the closing stages and beaten a neck by the 20-1 outsider Silent Oscar.

There'll be a big gap in the yard now.Barry Geraghty called him "a great horse... he'll be sadly missed"[23] Macs Joy's highest official rating was 167,[1] after his win in the 2006 Punchestown Champion Hurdle.