Messie shows his nimble footwork in Punchestown

Messie (4-1) mowed down Rain In Spain in the closing stages of the two and a half mile handicap hurdle at Punchestown to score by three quarters of a lengths.

Rain In Spain (8/1) looked to have the race at his mercy as he edged ahead of front-running Authorative at the last, however, Davy Russell and Messie stayed on strongly down the outside for glory.

Authorative (12/1) finished a length behind Rain In Spain in third with Realta Rathcabhain completing the places in fourth at 25/1.

Handler Stephen Ryan said: “He’s been fierce consistent and if the ground went his year was over. I was just lucky the ground stayed good and it was great to get a winner.

“Paul and Mary (McEvoy) bred him. They are lovely people from Cloughjordan and that is their first winner.

“Davy was saying to get him out quick as once they win one of those handicaps they might win two.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee