5/2 joint favourite Rubi Light took some notable scalps when landing his first Grade 1 in the John Durkan at Punchestown.

Robbie Hennessy’s improving six-year-old ridden by Andrew Lynch pulled away from the field after picking up the pace halfway and was kept up to his work to score by five lengths from the other joint favourite, Joncol who kept on in the heavy conditions without looking like beating the winner.

It was 29 lengths back to third placed finisher Cooldine (8/1) as Rubi Light made it a true test of stamina from the front in the heavy conditions.Kempes fell five out, Roi Du Mee fell at the last and Tranquil Sea was pulled up before the last.

“That was good. Andrew got off him and said he would come on from that. He got a little bit tired. He was a sick horse but has been working brilliantly the last two weeks. Obviously he loved the ground,” trainer Robbie Hennessy said.

“Andrew wasn’t making a mistake at the last. He gave him a kick and sent him on and he was foot perfect. I imagine he’ll come out of that alright. He looks alright.

“We’ll look at the Lexus now. It’s something to look forward to. That will tell us if we have a Gold Cup horse or a Ryanair horse.

“It would be great if we had a Gold Cup horse. He’s only six so he’s going the right way. He’s a nice horse to have and he’s filling Sublimity’s boots.”

Rubi Light was third in the Ryanir Chase at Cheltenham back in March. For next year’s renewal he is 10/1 with Ladbrokes, 12/1 from 16/1 with Boylesports and 12/1 from 14/1 with Stan James.

Following this performance today he is also 25/1 from 33/1 with Boylesports for the Gold Cup. The same firm have him 6/1 for the Lexus at Leopardstown at Christmas.

Michael Graham