Paudi The Punter provided owner Barry Connell, whose colours were carried to success earlier in the afternoon by Royal Reveille with a double on the card when making virtually all in the bumper.
Mikey Fogarty kept the 9/2 chance up to his work in the final furlong as Blue Jig Lady (6/1) threw down a challenge, and the son of Classic Cliche stayed on well to score by a length. Jamesson (11/2) was a further four and a half lengths away in third, while 7/4 favourite Ten Friends (found to be blowing hard post-race) weakened from over a furlong out on his debut and eventually finished ninth.
The victory provided some compensation for trainer Conor O'Dwyer, whose Sylvan Approach broke down badly in the previous beginners chase.
O'Dwyer said, “He's a nice summer type horse and deserved to win on his Gowran Park second. I probably ran him back too soon at Roscommon last time. We may keep him as a summer novice over hurdles next year but he's also won two point-to-points so he'll make a chaser.”
Alan Magee
