An eventful Irish Field Chase at Punchestown over the 27 obstacles on the three mile Bank course saw last year’s winner Freneys Well and Nina Carberry land the spoils at 5/1 from Zest For Life at 7/1 and Burnt Oil Babe at 12/1. Sizing Australia was sent off the 11/10 favourite to top up his Cheltenham success but parted company with Davy Russell when in the front rank seven out.
As the race hit the business end Theroadtocroker came through to take it up at the last before suffering a crashing fall to allow Freney’s Well through for a fortuitous three parts of a length win.
Winning trainer Enda Bolger, who saddled a one-two, said: “It was hard luck on the Murphy horse but Nina was in the right place at the right time. We will try and repeat the dose next year again.”
The result meant that Paul Towend could not be overtaken in the jockeys’ championship by Davy Russell.
