Gilgamboa beats younger rival in hunters' clash

Gilgamboa completed doubles for his owner J.P. McManus and trainer Enda Bolger at Punchestown today when getting the better of a fascinating duel with runner-up Burning Ambition to win the www.punchestown.com Hunters Chase.

Former Grade 1 winner Gilgamboa was sent hunter chasing this season and having won at Down Royal and Thurles in recent months, came into today's race the 8/13 favourite to beat chief rival, and three years younger Burning Ambition (7/4).

Gilgamboa raced prominently throughout and while exciting seven year old Burning Ambition, unbeaten in his last four point to points and one hunter chase, was patiently ridden, he moved to lead approaching the final fence.

However former Ryanair Gold Cup winner Gilgamboa rallied well on the run-in and eventually pegged back Burning Ambition inside the final furlong to score a two and three parts of a length win.

Bolger, who registered a 1-2-3 in the opener led by winner Auvergnat later commented “that was a proper race and the young horse (Burning Ambition) served it up to him.

“He was second last year in the Fortria Chase in Navan and it was a Grade 2, so that rules him out of Cheltenham this year so we'll probably go to the Tetratema next and then on the Liverpool Foxhunters.”

He added “soft ground is important to him and he's a grand horse to have.”

Quotes from Gary Carson