Course regular Vital Island (7/2) gained a first win over Punchestown's banks today, improving on last year's runner-up placing to land the Kildare Hunt Club Chase Ladies Cup for trainer Richie O'Keeffe and jockey Benny Walsh.

Walsh steered Singing Banjo to beat Vital Island in last year's renewal of the race and today, on Vital Island's 11th run over the banks' course, raced prominently throughout before beating 7/4 favourite Good Bye Sam by half a length.

Wexford based O'Keeffe later said “he loves it around here, he's been second a few times but he did the job today. He loves the banks.

“He's been a great old horse and has won four down in Lingstown for me, he knows his job. We'll see what way he is but he might run again on Thursday (in the La Touche).”

Quotes from Gary Carson