Heart-break for Carlow in Punchestown

There was heart-break for connections and supporters of Followmeuptocarlow as he was caught in the closing stages after apparently having the Naas Court & Il Fico Restaurant Handicap Hurdle at Punchestown in safe-keeping.

Reportedly matched at the minimum price of 1/100 for 13,000 Euros on Betfair, Followmeuptocarlow floundered in the extremely testing conditions and got 'done' by Acapulco Tom Donohue and Richie Deegan's representative eventually had to 'make do' with third, three parts of a length and a head off Acapulco (Barry Geraghty) and Rogue Angel

An investor on the aforementioned exchange had 9 Euros at 1000/1 in-running on Acapulco.

Edward O'Grady handles the victor for Joe Higgins and he remarked: "I thought he was sure to win at the second last and then even Barry was convinced he was beaten at the last.

"He'll probably go chasing but I'll have to talk to the owner. Barry thinks he has the scope for it but I'd say he'll (the horse) put his feet up for a week or two after that!

"His hurdling was so much more professional today." (AM & EM)