Slevin doubles up with San Salvador

Smooth-travelling San Salvador landed a good pot for the Annus Mirabilis Syndicate in the Grade B handicap hurdle at Punchestown.

The 11/1 shot knifed through to get on terms with Legacy Thor at the penultimate flight and soon led under JJ Slevin.

He had this big field in trouble as he shot clear a quarter of a mile from home. Captain Conby (4/1) attempted to go after the leader in second before the last, but he had a chasm to bridge.

To his credit, the pursuer stayed on well on the run-in after being less than fluent at the last. The leader had done enough, though, and saw him off by a length and three quarters. Hgranca De Thaix the 9/4 favourite, was some 10 lengths adrift in third, but the guts of five lengths in front of Au Fleuron (33/1).

The winner gave Slevin a 179/1 double after Notice To Close took extended 2m7f handicap chase at 14/1.

Trainer Joseph O'Brien said: “He ran very well the last day in Cork (in second last month) and this is a nice pot (€24,000) to win.

“The race worked out lovely for him. He got a nice position, made one mistake down the back, but otherwise jumped very well through the race.

“We’ll see what the handicapper does and he’ll be going for another good handicap somewhere.

“JJ is riding great. He’s been a very good, solid rider for years and is getting the opportunities and confidence with winners.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee