Rathgar beats Moscow in a thriller

Moscow Flyer tasted defeat for the first time in 20 completed starts over fences when touched off by Rathgar Beau in a thrilling finish to the Kerrygold Champion Chase, the highlight on day one of the Punchestown Festival.

The highest rated chaser in training looked set to maintain his amazing record over fences until blundering badly at the second last, and Rathgar Beau held a slight advantage under Shay Barry at the last.

The pair battled it out neck and neck to the line, and it took the judge Brendan Sheridan nine minutes to separate them with Native Upmanship staying on well just a length back in third.

´The luck went our way this time. That´s my first Grade 1 winner and he´s the first to beat Moscow Flyer over fences,´ said successful trainer Dusty Sheehy.

Jessica Harrington was philosophical in defeat saying, ´It was always going to happen some day, and he never seems to go as well here as anywhere else.´

´He´s had a fantastic year and will live to fight another day. I´m disappointed but have no regrets about running him. Horses are there to race.´

Wild Passion, runner-up in the Supreme Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham, went one better in the Punchestown equivalent - the Evening Herald Champion Novice Hurdle.

Paul Carberry set sail for home three out and, after Kill Devil Hill threw down a strong challenge in the straight, the 7/4 favourite dug deep to just hold on by a short-head.

´He´s very lazy but stays well and could come back here on Friday for the two and a half mile novice,´ said trainer Noel Meade, who favours going chasing with him next season.

Carberry initiated a double earlier aboard the easy-to-back Davids Lad (5/2-7/2), who recorded his first win over fences since 2001 when taking the three miles cross country chase.

Tony Martin´s charge was patiently ridden to head the front-running Native Beat at the second last, and stayed on well in the straight to beat Shady Lad by 4 1//2L.

´He deserved that, and has always been a good leaper as jumping comes natural to him. He will probably go down the cross country route now, although the Galway Plate is also a possibility,´ said Martin.

Forget The Past took the Ellier Developments Novice Chase in good style, drawing clear after three out under Timmy Murphy and staying on well to beat Quazar by five lengths.

´He gets into a rhythm jumping and likes to do his own thing. The family seem to get better with age, and hopefully he´ll go on to better things next season,´ said trainer Michael O´Brien.

Alan Magee