The 21st running of the Diageo Ireland Punchestown Charity Sweepstakes at Punchestown this evening went to the Niall Cronin ridden Prospectorous with Hardy Eustace on his last start, finishing a very credible fourth.

Cronin, a racing journalist with the Evening Herald newspaper and a late-comer to riding, made most of the running before eventually holding the late challenge of the fast finishing Paramount by a neck.

Cronin later reported "I ride out for Prospectorous' trainer Philip Dempsey and, as well as finishing fourth in last year's Charity race, also rode in a bumper at Listowel."

Hardy Eustace never looked like winning but stayed on gamely to finish fourth.