All ground seems to come alike to Irish Soul and he justified the confidence of his many supporters (as big as 6/1 when betting began on the event into 11/4) in the 2012 Five Day Festival Handicap Hurdle at Punchestown under Paddy Mangan.

Penalised 9Ib for a convincing success at Fairyhouse on good ground 18 days ago, Irish Soul made light of that in the heavy conditions here. He led entering the straight and he was ridden clear from before the last where he made a slight mistake. Irish Soul eventually crossed the line six lengths in front of Micks

James Motherway trains Irish Soul and he said: "He is flying at the minute. I got him in the summer after he'd just seemed to lose his way.

"He is trained from outside – he's out 24/7 and he does better outside.

"I told Paddy to go around the outside on him – he doesn't like getting jostled along the rails.

"He got 9Ibs for Fairyhouse and we took off five here with Paddy's claim just to be sure.

"We'll see what Noel (O'Brien, the handicapper) does now.

"He has schooled well over fences and he has that option too.

"I'm delighted for the owner (Patrick Mulcahy, also the breeder). He is from Castletownroche. He is a great supporter of the yard." (EM)