Dual Cheltenham Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase winner Garde Champetre returned to winning ways at Punchestown today when justifying long odds-on 1/4 favouritism in the Glenfarclas P.P. Hogan Memorial Cross Country Chase.

Ridden by Nina Carberry, the 12 year old didn’t appear to be travelling too well throughout and was made to work hard for his three and a half lengths win over Lord Nellerie

Winning trainer Enda Bolger was absent but winning owner J.P. McManus’ racing manager Frank Berry stated “Garde Champetre got the job but wasn’t as sharp as usual. He isn’t getting younger but jumped adequately and while we’ll see how he comes out of this, the Cross Country race at Cheltenham will be his next step.”

Thomas Weekes