Nice finish for Gigginstown/Elliott and Russell

Davy Russell was in pursuit of a double, Bryan Cooper a treble, when the pair sported the Gigginstown House Stud silks for the concluding Panoramic Restaurant 49 Euro Raceday Hospitality Beginners Chase at Punchestown. It was the former that prevailed, but not before the latter had suffered some bad luck.

It was questionable at the time who'd have prevailed but the two and a half miler was decided in Bonisland s (Russell) favour when the challenging Rogue Angel departed at the last.

It wasn't the cause of his fall but Bonisland's jumping to the left didn't help his rival. In the end the Gordon Elliott-trained winner crossed the line fifty three lengths to the good from Local Celebrity The other finisher from the four that set out was Mrs Henderson and she picked up 840 Euros for trailing in forty two lengths adrift.

"Davy said he was quick from fence to fence and he had a grand school around.

"He said that he was looking around him and not doing a whole lot.

"He's not a bad type and we have more novice chasers to look forward to for Gigginstown now," said Elliott.

It was nice to see Gigginstown and Elliott end the day with a winner as their Hologram suffered a fatal injury when falling in race three. (AM & EM)