McInerney off the mark on big stage

Donal McInerney rode his first track winner on a big stage when getting Auvergnat home in first place in the P.P. Hogan Memorial Cross County Chase at Punchestown.

Enda Bolger looked like he might take the prize with Colour Squadron as that fellow duelled it out with Ballyboker Bridge from some way out.

However it was another one of Bolger's hopes, Auvergnat, that eventually came to the fore as himself and Usuel Smurfer battled for supremacy from the last.

It was Auvergnat that eventually proved superior, by a length and a half.

The aforementioned duo, Ballyboker Bridge and Colour Squadron ended up fifteen lengths and four and a half lengths back in third and fourth.

"I'm twenty two and I'm working in Bolgers full time. That's my first winner on the track, and my first as a pro too. I only got the licence there on Friday," explained McInerney.

"Garry Cribbin is my agent and it's hopefully onwards and upwards from here."

Enda Bolger said: "Donal has been with me a few years. He was finding it hard to get rides in point-to-points so he has decided to go down this route (turning professional).

"He's (Auvergnat) only a seven-year-old and should have a nice future at this game. He will have to go for the cross-country now at Cheltenham next month. He had a look there last week, and it was just unfortunate (unseated and then fell when loose) what happened then."

Auvergant is 10/1 from 14/1 with Paddy Power for the Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham festival.

(AM & EM)