Senior Chief gets there to foil Duffle Coat

Senior Chief pulled the beginners' chase at Punchestown out of the fire as he cut down Duffle Coat in the closing stages.

Duffle Coat, who was a Grade 2 winner over flights more than three years ago, has been out of form for some time, however, he put in a storming performance at 28/1 on chasing debut.

He found plenty for Sam Ewing rounding the home bend and took a couple of lengths out of 2/9 favourite Senior Chief jumping the last.

Rachael Blackmore, on the pursuer, switched him to the inner of Duffle Coat on the run-in and her mount stayed on strongly to get to grips with the leader in the final 100 yards.

They went on by three-parts of a length from the runner-up.

Henry de Bromhead said: “Rachael said once she turned in she knew it was okay, but I’m not so sure.

“He’s done little wrong in fairness to him, and the handicapper might reassess him from a mark of 142.

“He looked laboured and Rachael said its tough old ground. We’ll look for a handicap now and see where we go from there.

“I’m delighted for the lads (Lucky In Life Syndicate) who are great supporters and a lot of them work at Regeneron in Limerick.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee