Shot flops as Punch battles to victory

Royal Shot was the all rage for the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle but ran no sort of race as Pleased As Punch came out on top under Danny Benson for Austin Leahy.

The six-year-old daughter of High Chaparral got off the mark at Tramore in August but disappointed on her next start at Kilbeggan when not getting the clearest of passages.

Sent off at 6/1 today she raced in mid-division before taking closer order from five out.

She improved into second approaching the straight, hitting the front on the run-in before being driven out to win by half a length at the line. Chakisto kept on well to take second at 20/1 under Adam O’Neill for Eoin Doyle while Lindas Choice ran a cracker to finish third just a short head back under Ricky Doyle for Homer Scott at 50/1.

Royal Shot went off the 5/4 favourite but he was struggling from before the straight and finished a very disappointing seventh for Denis Hogan.

Austin Leahy said afterwards: "She ran better than her place would suggest the last day. She got stopped a few times in the race there and the jockey wasn’t too hard on her when her chance was gone.

"She is in here again on Friday in an amateur handicap and we will see how she comes out of today first."

Danny Benson added: "I'm delighted to get a winner in these colours (winning owner JP McManus).

"She needs the cheekpieces just to keep her at her job as after the last she was idling the whole way to the line.

"I’m working with Gordon Elliott Monday to Saturday. Last year I was with Jonjo O’Neill and I had a few rides in these colours but no winners."