Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup (Grade 1) of €275,000.00 5-y-o plus 3m. 1f.

1st - €165,000.00, 2nd - €55,000.00, 3rd - €27,500.00, 4th - €11,000.00, 5th - €8,250.00, 6th - €5,500.00 9 Ran
Cheltenham Gold Cup third Neptune Collonges followed up his victory in this race last year and confirmed the impression that he is still very much on the upgrade.

The only one to really take on Denman at Prestbury Park, the seven-year-old grey was again ridden up with the pace, and punters who forced him to a shade of odds-on had few worries once Ruby Walsh sent him on six out.

The field was really starting to get stretched three out as the favourite poured on the pressure up front, with Snowy Morning emerging as the clear second best as Mossbank and Mister Top Notch felt the pinch.

Paul Nicholls' charge galloped all the way to the line, and the champion trainer was understandably happy afterwards. 'This was always our big target and he only had to run up to his Cheltenham form. He jumped well on the whole but got in a bit tight to a few down the back. You need to ride him positively.'

Snowy Morning showed no ill effects from his gallant third in the Grand National and, having raced a bit keenly and made a slight mistake four out, again showed plenty of stamina reserves.

Mossbank was ridden along to try and keep in touch with the leading group from five out, and the effort took its toll from two out. He weakened from this point and just held on to third place.

Mister Top Notch made a number of minor errors but kept on onepaced under pressure inside the final half mile.

This marked the end of an era for Beef Or Salmon and perhaps Kicking King. Beef Or Salmon struggled to go the pace, as he often did in his heyday, but the old sparkle was not there and he takes a well earned retirement after plugging on in sixth.

Kicking King moved up into second as if he was going to take a serious hand five out but weakened just as quickly after the next. It has been a good effort by connections to get him back to the track this season but he appears a shadow of his former self.