Fan De Blues enjoys himself in Punchestown Fan De Blues made all to bring up plenty of bets in the Swordlestown Beginners Chase at Punchestown. He was backed from 7/4 before racing and went off the even-money favourite for Willie Mullins and Brian Hayes. The six-year-old gelding had the chasing Flindt off the bridle turning in and scooted clear before two out. He jumped left at that fence but soon increased his advantage before the final flight. He popped that one and strolled in by seven and a half lengths from Flindt (11/1). Raya Time was another 11 lengths adrift in third at 2/1 after a bad mistake at the fourth last saw him lose touch with the front pair. He tried to reel them in after the third last but weakened after the next. Hayes said: “It was fairly straightforward. He was going a bit to his left. “I think the first-time tongue tie helped. It was a matter of just getting him around safely and hopefully he’ll go on to better things. It’s grand that he’ll be a novice for the rest of the season.” Additional reporting by Alan Magee
