Uncle Junior toughs it out as 6 of the 25 get home

Uncle Junior put up a stamina and courage laden performance to take the marathon Stephens Green Hibernian Club Handicap Chase under Ruby Walsh at Punchestown.

Ridden with patience from off the pace, Uncle Junior (ear-plugs) wasn't always foot perfect in his jumping and he had plenty on his plate after a mistake three out. However the ten-year-old, bringing up a hat-trick here, arrived in plenty of time with his challenge and he found by far the most when it mattered from the back of the last, staying on dourly to score in good style from Another Palm and his stable companion Pomme Tiepy (with Katie Walsh up). Fair Along was beaten, after running a gallant race under top-weight, when blundering and unseating Rhys Flint at the final fence.

Walsh said: "He settled and jumped really well - for him. He walked straight into the third last and I had to get after him after that.

"They went a real good gallop though and they don't tend to finish very fast then. He has age and a bit of class on his side."

Winning owner Luke McMahon said: "He broke down in Galway two years ago but we gave him the time to recover as he has been a real good servant. We bought him as a four-year-old from Tommy Wade."

Meanwhile successful trainer Willie Mullins remarked: "Ruby was excellent once again. The drier ground has helped Uncle Junior and we'll probably think about the Kerry National now and he could go for the Galway Plate on the way.

"The third mare, Pomme Tiepy will probably be retired now as she is in foal to King's Theatre."