High hopes now for Asterion as he comes good in style at Punchestown Grade One winning novice hurdler Asterion Forlonge (11/4 favourite) took the Grade A EMS Copiers Novice Handicap Chase at his ease. A 14th winner at Punchestown 2021 for Willie Mullins, the haul has been well spread out for 13 different owners, and 8 jockeys have shared in the Closutton domination. In the hands of Bryan Cooper the successful grey was never far away on the inner and he was looking good from some way out to defeat Walk Away by fourteen lengths. “The drop in class makes a big difference to the pace of a race and he was able to get it all together. Even with top-weight in a handicap it’s a different pace than you would have in Graded races,” said Mullins. “Nicer ground helped as well. I think he can improve a lot next year and be able to tackle top Graded racing. “Any of our top-weights that have won that race have turned out to be very good horses (Kemboy won in 2018 and Real Steel in 2019) and I think this fella has the potential to be that as well. “Bryan said he was travelling at all stages of the race.” P.D. Kennedy, rider of Rebel Gold trained by Patrick T. Foley, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount made a noise in running. (AM & EM)
