Captain Guinness lands the odds in style

Captain Guinness put a disappointing chase debut at Tipperary well behind him when landing the odds in the Gain Supporting Laois GAA Beginners Chase at Punchestown.

The promising five-year-old was found to have an irregular heartbeat when pulled up last time but made all here for an impressive success.

The 4/5 favourite asserted approaching the final fence and kept on well for Rachael Blackmore to beat Midnight Run by four and three quarter lengths.

The pair stretched well clear in the straight with Jungle Junction all of 28 lengths further adrift in third.

Winning trainer Henry de Bromhead said, “I’m delighted with that and Rachael was really happy with him. He took a little blow turning in and is having another good blow now so hopefully he will come on from that. It’s great to get him back on track.

“Obviously he was very disappointing the first day and hopefully we can keep the heart right.

“Rachael said it’s very testing ground and she thinks he’ll be better on nicer ground.

“He did a piece of work since Tipperary and worked well. He’s just been tipping away since and we keep monitoring the heart. Certainly before and after he runs now we will always check his heart.

“Christmas may come a bit soon but there is a nice race at Naas in early January. He can go there and if all goes well then to the Irish Arkle.”

Paddy Power and Betfair both cut Captain Guinness from 33/1 into 20/1 for the Arkle at Cheltenham.