Enniskillen bags 'rules' win at Punchestown

Punchestown regular Enniskillen made his 'racecourse' breakthrough at the venue when claiming the opening race at this year festival meeting.

Peter Maher 's veteran has been a staple in hunter chases and cross-country events at the Kildare venue but despite having won three point-to-points at the course had never scored 'under rules'.

He was sent to post the 6/4 favourite for the Fr Sean Breen Memorial Chase over the banks and came to lead before the second last under Jamie Codd.

He kept on well in the closing stages to record a length success over the game runner-up Treo Eile

The success moved Codd on to 38 winners for the season putting him three ahead of title rival Patrick Mullins.

“He deserved that as he's always the bridesmaid and never the bride. Now he's the bride today,” said Maher.

“It's not that he's a great horse but everyone backs him each-way and he's always there or thereabouts but still never gives me a winner.

“(My partner) Caroline said to me this morning that he'd win this one but I said 'no he won't'. He had it won one year and ran off the bend. That's him he could go anywhere or do anything.

“He didn't let me down and deserved that.

“I was going mad as there was no rain for the La Touche and I really fancy Mtada Supreme. One of my friends said 'there are other racecourse you can train winners on you know' but I said 'no there isn't, this is the only place to get the winners'.”