Upsie (nearside, the winner) and Twigline had a lung-bursting battle at Punchestown© Photo Healy Racing
Ruby Walsh was seen at his strongest when completing a four-timer on the day (all for Willie Mullins) aboard Upsie who overcame an indifferent round of jumping in the Orchid Transport (Mares) Novice Hurdle.
For good measure here the soon to be six-time champion trainer supplied the runner-up too, a length and a half separating Upsie from Twigline at the finish, after a tremendous battle had been fought out.
Mullins' summation in this case was: "She's got a good engine but we'll have to brush up her jumping.
"When she learns how to jump she'll be a fair mare.
"She got into a lot of trouble at Naas and did well to win.
"Nothing really went right for her in Naas but she still won.
"Her homework is great."
Paddy Power introduced Upsie at 12/1 for the David Nicholson Mares race at Cheltenham next year.
Walsh is now just five behind reigning champion Davy Russell (102-97) in the title race with two more days to go.
(AM & EM)
