Three By Two, right, has Vital Island in her sights© Photo Healy Racing
Denis Murphy's Three By Two was noted being backed from 22/1 to 8/1 before racing began in Punchestown and the money was rewarded in the Kildare Hunt Club Steeplechase (Ladies Cup).
The seven-year-old mare crept into contention in this banks race in third after the fourth last. She stayed on well past the always-prominent Subset on the long run to the last where she claimed the 11/10 favourite Vital Island
A good jump there sealed the deal as she was driven out by Tiernan Power Roche to draw three-lengths clear at the winning post.
Vital Island had to settle for second and was 14 lengths clear of Subset (50/1).
Murphy said: “She has plenty of experience hurdling and then point-to-pointing.
“We were unlucky in this race a few times and we’ve won the La Touche.
“This mare may come back here on Saturday if she is fine. She enjoys it and hopefully she comes out of this fine.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
