Bon Papa and Barry Geraghty© Photo Healy Racing
Of the McManus three the market pointed in the direction of Stand Up And Fight but it was Bon Papa that came to the fore to supply Barry Geraghty and the 'green and gold' with a Punchestown double in the Download The Betdaq App Beginners Chase.
Earlier on the mark with the Gavin Cromwell-trained Spades Are Trumps McManus and Geraghty here combined with 5/2 shot Bon Papa.
Stand Up And Fight (Enda Bolger and Mark Walsh) was favourite at 'twos,' but he eventually pulled up before two out when well beaten.
From the same fence the Willie Mullins-trained Bon Papa hit the front and it was soon a case of bar a fall as the French-bred defeated Light That by eleven lengths.
"We capitalised on the fall of Avenir D'Une Vie (the clear pace-setter that came down at the 7th)," commented Mullins afterwards.
"He jumped well and he wants further. The further he was going the better he was going, so we'll probably up him in trip the next time he runs.
"He could go for the race at Limerick (Grade 2 Greenmount Park Novice)."
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Stand Up And Fight, trained by E. Bolger, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to have lost his front left shoe.
M.P. Walsh, rider of Stand Up And Fight trained by E. Bolger, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount lost his action and pulled up thereafter.
(AM & EM)
