Punches Cross knows where the winning post is

Favourite backers had plenty of moments of concern in the two mile handicap chase but ultimately Punches Cross got up in the closing stages.

The 2/1 shot was still fourth jumping the last and made a slight mistake at it but soon made headway to dispute second.

In a three-way go for the line, he stayed on best on the inside to get up by a head from Quamino (9/1). Arvico Bleu who led over the last, was a short head away in third.

Joseph O’Brien said: “Mark gave him a great ride. He didn’t jump as well today as he did here the last time. He missed the first couple and the last but it was a good competitive race and there wasn’t much in it.

“We’ll find something similar for him.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee