Review punchestown 22nd Apr
Willie Mullins' star mare Quevega showed she is just as effective against the boys when easing to victory in the big race on day three of the Punchestown Festival, the ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle.
Twice a winner of the mares' hurdle at Cheltenham, the 5-2 favourite was tackling three miles for the first time but travelled with ease for Paul Townend.
Stablemate Mourad kept close attendance in the home straight, but once Townend pressed the button after the last, she came away to beat the running-on Bensalem by three lengths.
Mullins secured a double on the card when Bishopsfurze (11-4) landed the emeraldbloodstock.com INH Flat Race in the hands of Patrick Mullins.< Captain Cee Bee showed no ill-effects from bursting a blood vessel in the Arkle at Cheltenham when landing the Ryanair Novice Chase in commanding fashion.
Always travelling sweetly for Tony McCoy, the Edward Harty-trained 4-1 chance reeled in the front-running Let Yourself Go at the second-last and ran on strongly to score by four lengths.
Enda Bolger continued his dominance of races on the banks course when L'Ami (13-8) edged out stablemate Freneys Well in the Avon Ri Corporate And Leisure Resort Chase (for the La Touche Cup).
Freneys Well looked to have opened a decisive lead turning for home but a prodigious leap from JT McNamara's mount enabled him to get on top close home and win by a length and three-quarters.
Barry Geraghty's decision to kick on early on Our Gar reaped dividends when the Prunella Dobbs-trained 8-1 chance outbattled Awkward Moment to score by three lengths in the AON Insurances Hurdle.
Katie Walsh continued her fine season when supplementing her two Cheltenham Festival successes with victory aboard father Ted's Battlefront (25-1) in the Ernst And Young Handicap Chase, while first-time blinkers did the trick for Prince Rudi (16-1) in the Naas Court Hotel Handicap Hurdle.