Willie Mullins stole the show at Punchestown with a treble, kicking off with Raptor ending a frustrating run without a win when battling to victory in the 10Euro Admission Chase.
Willie Mullins' 11-8 favourite was without a win in six starts before this and looked to have a real battle on his hands when he and Slieveardagh took up the running at the second-last fence.
However, Slieveardagh took a crashing fall at the last, allowing Ruby Walsh to coast home, 15 lengths clear of Uncle Tom Cobley
Mullins grabbed his second winner, giving Walsh a double, when Letherbelucky (4-5 favourite) added a hurdling win to her bumper success in the jogforjockeys.ie (Mares) Maiden Hurdle, coming home seven lengths clear of Cuteasafox
The treble for the champion handler came when 2-1 joint-favourite Passage Vendome got the better of fellow market leader Buy Back Bob in the www.irishracehorseowners.com Maiden Hurdle under Emmett Mullins.< Loosen My Load s return to action ended in heavy defeat as Whodoyouthink made every yard to land the richest race on the card, the Follow Punchestown On Facebook Chase.
Henry De Bromhead's charge had not been seen since finishing down the field in the Paddy Power Gold Cup, and the alarm bells were ringing loudly for followers of the odds-on favourite as he was labouring long before the turn for home.
It was left to Askanna to put up a fight to Whodoyouthink, but Oliver mcKiernan's 9-1 chance ambled clear under Mick Darcy to score by 17 lengths.
Roger Quinlan produced a fine front-running ride to land the Conyngham Cup Handicap Chase aboard 12-1 chance Prince Of Milan
After kicking for home before the second last, the Andrew Slattery-trained runner looked to have plenty queuing up to challenge, but he kept on well close home to beat Give Us A Hand by two and three-quarter lengths.
