McDonogh packs a punch for Oliver

Packsapunch got 9Ibs for winning at the Curragh almost a fortnight back but that didn't stop him from coming up the hill with a real flourish in the A1 Dental Care Handicap to prevail by a length and a quarter from Hampshire

The latter had looked likely to score when kicking clear early in the straight but the winning grey, under Declan McDonogh, came from an impossible looking position to storm home and get to the front well inside the last.

In a stable tour in September 2008, winning trainer, Andy Oliver made what has turned out to be a correct prediction of Packapunch's future when he said anything he does this year is a bonus because he'll make a lovely horse for 2009.