O Maonlai lands plunge

The market spoke volumes in the bumper at Punchestown where the well-backed O Maonlai rewarded punters with a battling win under Nina Carberry.

Timmy Hyde’s unraced four-year-old was the subject of support all day from 4/1 to 7/4 on the off, whereas Rough Justice from the very in-form Willie Mullins yard drifted to 6/4f, having been 8/15 this morning.

It was Redundant Man (12/1) and Johnny King who set sail for home a furlong out, but O Maonli pursued him and Carberry drove him past late on and win by half a length.

Rough Justice and Patrick Mullins could make no impression in the final furlong and were beaten eight lengths by the winner.

Timmy Hyde said: “He’s a fine big horse with a great pedigree from the family of Gaye Brief.

“He jumps well. We’ll give him a few weeks before we decide what to do. He’s only a four-year-old and we don’t want to rush him. We could go for another bumper or hurdling.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee