"It's great to give the two lads a winner but I didn't think I'd do it with the same horse! I was going to run him tomorrow but he'd lose his four-year-old allowance," stated trainer Karl Thornton after his Duke Cass just held on under Donagh Meyler in the Buy Your Tickets Online At www.punchestown.com Handicap Hurdle. Mine Now tried hard to mow down Duke Cass — now the winner of three-in-a-row — but the line came in time for Thornton's runner as he got the verdict by a head.

The front pair left Mill Quest ten lengths back in third.

"He'll probably go to the north (Down Royal) on the 31st for a rated race. He's tough for a four-year-old," further explained Thornton.

S.W. Flanagan, rider of Attalco (FR) trained by I.Madden, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount lost its action and was pulled up thereafter.

J.W. Kennedy, rider of Realt Mor trained by Gordon Elliott, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount ran short of room turning out of the back straight.

(AM & EM)