Knock gets favourite backers off to perfect start

The opening race at Punchestown this afternoon, the Dobbins Food Hall Maiden Hurdle for 4yo's only over 2m, went to the Christy Roche trained Knocklong under Alan Crowe.

The son of Milan was having just his fourth run today, having finished third on his debut over hurdles at Gowran in February behind stablemate Ballynacree.

He then won his bumper at Naas in March before finishing fifth last time out in another bumper at Limerick behind Summer Star.

Having opened a general 7/2 shot this morning he was well supported and was returned the 7/4 favourite, having touched 2/1 on course.

After leading early, the winner regained the lead before the third last and battled on gamely from there to hold off the challenges of Face Value and To The Sky

The latter, for Joanna Morgan & Davy Condon at 5/2, got a nice run through after the last but the line came just in time for the winner.

A neck was the official winning margin while there was a further length and three parts back to the third placed horse who was Face Value for Adrian McGuinness and Andrew Lynch at 11/2.

Winning trainer Christy Roche said afterwards: "Alan gave him a good ride. I thought I had got chinned and I was glad to hear Dessie (Scahill) call him. I was due one of those to go right for me.

"If this weather keeps up we could keep him on the go. He is a lovely little horse and we just get what we can out of him.

"We might look for a winners of one for him now. Hopefully Noel O’Brien (the handicapper) isn’t too hard on him.

"He disappointed at Limerick and ran too bad to be true. He had run a cracker at Gowran (on his debut)."

Donal Murphy & Gary Carson