Search
Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
- Home
- News
Review punchestown 9th May
The Donal Hassett-trained Droim Toll (16-1) took the feature Breakfast With Hector On 2FM Handicap Chase at Punchestown.
Returning from a break and racing from 4lb out of the weights, the 10-year-old travelled well for Davy Condon and emerged on the scene three out.< Give Us A Hand layed down a challenge and although the two leaders then opened the door for Smoking Aces by making independent mistakes at the second-last, it was Droim Toll that found more after the last, pulling four and three-quarter lengths clear.
The giant Arvika Ligeonniere looks to have found his niche after defying a 747-day layoff to win the Punchestown For Events Beginners Chase.
Off the track since landing a novice hurdle at this meeting in 2010, Willie Mullins' charge barely put a foot wrong on his fencing bow for Ruby Walsh and galloped his rivals senseless from the front of the field.< Tom Horn was in second throughout and boxed on well to his credit, but it only really concerned the 1-2 favourite, who strolled home by 13 lengths, prompting Paddy Power to instal him at 20-1 for next year's Arkle.
Mullins had earlier scored when Balnaslow justified 1-6 favouritism with the minimum of fuss under Davy Russell in the Dobbins Food Hall Maiden Hurdle.
Jumping well at the head of affairs, he didn't need to come out of second gear to comfortably beat Captain Lob by a length and a quarter.
The Racing Post Champion Hunters Chase went to On The Fringe 7-4), trained by Enda Bolger and ridden by J T McNamara, while Roger Quinlan partnered last year's runner-up Mr Goodenough (11-10) to victory in the KFM Hunters Chase.
Bottom-weight Dunro Boy broke his hurdling duck under Paul Townend in the Tote Sports Lounge Handicap Hurdle.
John Carr's charge was sent off a 16-1 shot but came there cruising on the turn for home and skipped seven and a half lengths clear of Tornant