Only five runners there may have been but the Grade One Unibet Morgiana Hurdle turned into a very messy affair. That will matter little to connections and backers of winner, Abacadabras though, as Gordon Elliott continued his domination of Punchestown’s Sunday card.

Abacadabras’ owner and jockey, Gigginstown House Stud and Jack Kennedy, were doubling up after their success half-an-hour earlier with Fury Road

That fellow’s trainer, Elliott, had also struck with Pencilfulloflead in the Grade Two novice chase. Rachael Blackmore rode him.

Abacadabras drifted left on the run-in as he tried to fend off his sweet-travelling former stable companion Coeur Sublime Jason The Militant was rallying at that stage, but the really story centred around favourite and eventual second Saint Roi (pulled hard).

He got shuffled back to rear of the field on the inner from two out. He was ponderous at the last as well, before being switched right and staying on well in the closing stages to edge out Jason The Militant by a short head for second.

He was a neck down on Abacadabras and Elliott was understandably pleased, saying: “I definitely knew he’d improve from Down Royal where he took a blow after the second last. He came forward from the run and he needed to in a race like that.

“It was a good performance and he’d be better suited by a strongly run race on better ground and produced later. Jack had to go on when he did.

“The logical race next is Leopardstown at Christmas.”

Meanwhile Kennedy disclosed: “I was happy enough the whole way. Just coming across the bottom he put in a few clumsy jumps.

“I got there way too soon. When it was Coeur Sublime beside me I wanted to get him under pressure as he hadn’t a run this season and my lad did. It worked out that I was there too soon and he idled in front.

“A stronger gallop would have suited. I was waiting for them to come at me but the line came in time.”

Paddy Power are 8/1 unchanged for the Champion Hurdle about Abacadabras.

Willie Mullins later said on Saint Roi: “So much went wrong but there are a lot of positives to take out of it. He was beaten only a neck and in another couple of strides past the line he was probably in front.

“He made mistakes and got on the wrong side of things here and there but the performance was still good. He was pulling hard and Mark was caught between a rock and a hard place. The ground is testing and he was hoping he’d drop the bridle halfway around. Then they all rushed by him at the second last and he found himself in a bad position but these things happen.

“I’m hoping what we learned about the horse today might be to our advantage the next day. I’d imagine Leopardstown at Christmas is the obvious route with him.

“He made a few mistakes but I think that was because he was pulling so hard on this heavy ground. On faster ground there will be a better pace and it will suit him better.”

The Stewards interviewed J.W. Kennedy, rider of Abacadabras (FR), concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards accepted the rider's explanation as they were satisfied that the whip had been used for corrective purposes and therefore the remaining hits did not constitute any breach of the R10.

(AM & EM)