Twinlight toughs it out

The complexion of the four-runner Grade 2 AGK Displays Craddockstown Novice Chase at Punchestown changed when 8/15 favourite Oscars Well and Robbie Power crashed out at the second fence, leaving the healthy pot wide open.

Ruby Walsh and Twinlight took up the race gauntlet with Baily Green and David Casey slotting into second. Jenari never got competitive as Mark Walsh rousted him along 10 lengths behind in third.

Despite Baily Green appearing to be going the easier of the front two, Twinlight fought back gamely on the inside after being headed after the last. Ruby Walsh drove him out to score by a length at 9/1.

Baily Green, who remarkably was seeking his eighth win in-a-row, took the runner-up spot at 9/2, with a distance (94 lengths) back to Jenari (9/2) in third.

“He’s improving all the time and getting confident. Ruby said he’s getting to know him as he has his own method of jumping,” Willie Mullins said.

“I’d say he loves this ground. We’ll have to see where we go from here, but he’s fit and well and very tough.

“He battled back fantastically both this run and his previous run and he seems to have benefited from the change in the way we are running him.”

Ruby Walsh added: “He battled back well and jumped super. He stuck his head out and came back at him. It was a nice pot to win.”

Twinlight has been introduced at 33/1 for the Arkle with Stan James.

Oscars Well managed to get out of the track after his fall. He was brought back from a local road and was found to be ok.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee