Banbridge received up within the ultimate stride to disclaim Captain Guinness a Champion Chase double in a pulsating renewal of the function occasion on the opening day of the Punchestown Pageant.
9 runners went to publish for the William Hill Champion Chase, with Mares’ Chase runner-up Dinoblue the 11/10 favorite to beat the boys and supply Willie Mullins with a sixth successive victory on this prolonged two-mile contest.
Henry de Bromhead’s Captain Guinness was bidding to comply with up victory within the Queen Mom Champion Chase on the Cheltenham Pageant on his most up-to-date outing and appeared seemingly to take action after taking on from the pacesetting Dysart Dynamo on the high of the house straight below Rachael Blackmore.
Mark Walsh was extra vigorous within the saddle in behind aboard Dinoblue and whereas she did reply to stress to shut in on Captain Guinness on the ultimate fence, she was unable to get on phrases.
Nonetheless, Captain Guinness was then reeled in by Joseph O’Brien’s fast-finishing 6/1 shot Banbridge on the run-in.
The eight-year-old, who had disenchanted in a soft-ground Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham, was sporting cheek items for the primary time over this shorter journey and wanted each yard of it to safe high honours by a neck within the arms of J J Slevin, with Dinoblue an additional size and 1 / 4 away in third.
“It was a fantastic race, a great two-mile chase, and a fantastic ride from JJ. I’m delighted for Ronnie (Bartlett, owner) and everyone to have a big winner here in Punchestown,” mentioned O’Brien.
“It wasn’t our day in Cheltenham but we’re delighted to win a big race here today. He’s been a fantastic horse and Ronnie’s patience through the autumn when the ground wasn’t right for us was really what won the race for us today. We were ready to run and had to wait.
“We all know what situations the horse performs on, it is fairly apparent if you have a look at all his runs. On higher floor, his runs are all excellent – and when it will get softer, for no matter motive, he would not carry out as nicely.
“We took the chance at Cheltenham because it’s Cheltenham, but it didn’t work out. We freshened him up to come here and I’m delighted to win a big race with him.”
Bartlett added: “He’s a great horse, it was a great race and he was trained to perfection. It’s going to be a quiet night tonight, early to bed!
“Two or three out, you have been pondering he’d perhaps be positioned, however he confirmed some flip of foot during the last.”
Spillane’s Tower holds off Monty’s Star
Spillane’s Tower and Monty’s Star served up a thriller within the Dooley Insurance coverage Group Champion Novice Chase, nevertheless it was the previous who got here out on high for Jimmy Mangan, finishing a Grade One double for Mark Walsh following Mystical Energy’s victory earlier within the day.
Despatched off 5/2 joint favourites, the market ideas have been separated by half a size during the last, however Spillane’s Tower discovered a lot below the Walsh drive to remain all the way in which to the end line.
Three Card Brag was again in third, with Sandor Clegane fourth of the seven that ran.
