Canardier lands gamble with debut win

Well-backed newcomer Canardier (8/1, reportedly as big as 66/1 last night) made an excellent start to his career when winning the concluding GVA Donal O'Buachalla Property Advisors INH Flat Race at Punchestown.

When he travelled with supreme ease early in the straight it looked like nothing would be able to cope with Dermot McLoughlin's charge.

However Jamie Codd is a dangerous man to underestimate and he brought his mount Its All Guesswork with a strong run from over a furlong out.

He was soon looking a huge threat but the Mark O'Hare-ridden Canardier found more when required to win by three parts of a length.

Favourite, Warthog bidding to give Patrick Mullins a 4-timer, couldn't raise his game in the straight after making the pace and he finished sixth.

Dermot McLoughlin said: "We bought him a year ago and liked him a lot. He's always showed plenty of boot, and is pure class. He's been away to a few schooling races.

"He's not for sale and may run again or we could put him away until the autumn. He jumps well and we have all that work done."

Karl Slattery is part of the Slattery Bloodstock Limited team, the winning owners, and he was at Punchestown on his stag party.

(AM & EM)