Lone Wolf gets up late under determined O'Connor

Derek O’Connor was seen at his strongest when getting Lone Wolf up close home in the GVA Donal O’Buachalla Property Advisors Flat Race at Punchestown. All For Joy looked set to end a frustrating sequence of placed efforts when drawing clear early in the straight but he was worn down by the Joseph O’Brien-trained winner in the final strides.

The JP McManus-owned 6/1 chance prevailed by a head, with Fontley House a length and a half back in third.

There was a sting in the tail for O’Connor who picked up a three-day suspension for his use of the whip, while Anthony Fox was given a two-day ban on the runner-up.

O’Brien said, “Derek gave him a great ride. He’d a good run in a novice hurdle the last day. We fancied him in Leopardstown at Christmas and he disappointed us on the day so we gave him a little break and then we said we’d train him for here.

“He’s a nice horse to be going novice hurdling next year. He’ll have a nice summer break now.”