Sixshooter fires in another for Meade and Flanagan

Sixshooter was far from advantaged by the terms of the extended two and a quarter mile hurdle in Punchestown but he made light of that as he continued Noel Meade and Sean Flanagan's good form.

He entered the fray rated 135, some 16lbs inferior to Kilfenora and also had to give that rivals 6lbs.

Kilfenora went off 5/4 favourite with Sixshooter nicely backed at 11/8 second in.

The market principals dominated throughout as Kilfenora led with Sixshooter pressing him throughout the race.

Kilfenora cracked before the final flight as Sixshooter took aim and passed him. The new leader forged on to score by four and a half lengths from Kilfenora. This made it three from three in Punchestown for Sixshooter who has also won a race at Leopardstown.

He made it 13 winners in the last three weeks for Meade who said: “He’s been very slow maturing and hopefully will keep improving. He actually grew since last spring and is still quite young so I presume he will stay over hurdles.

“His jumping was poor last year and he had a problem with ulcers.”

He added: “I might run Snow Falcon in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal. Tout Est Permis is also entered and we’ll see how he gets on tomorrow.”

Flanagan has booted home 11 winners in October.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee