Valseur Lido and Bryan Cooper© Photo Healy Racing
Willie Mullins' fencing newcomer Valseur Lido looks to have a bright future over the bigger obstacles judged on the way he disposed of his rivals in the Gain Supporting Laois GAA Beginners Chase at Punchestown.
Second to the top-class Faugheen in a Grade One at the track when last seen, the five-year-old was sent off the 8-11 favourite in the hands of Bryan Cooper and had the opposition in trouble heading to the second-last.
With dangers Abbey Lane and Sizing Codelco having departed by that stage, he was untroubled in coasting away to beat Champagne James by 11 lengths.
Cooper doubled up in the Gigginstown colours when the Mouse Morris-trained Alpha Des Obeaux (4-6 favourite) led going to the last in the Visit www.punchestown.com For All Offers Maiden Hurdle and cleared away to score by eight and a half lengths.
Only three went to post for the Punchestown Annual Membership From 110 Euro Hurdle but the race served up some drama before it was won by the Aidan O'Brien-trained 9-10 favourite Plinth in the hands of Mark Walsh.< Goonyella led until three out, where Plinth went on and seemed to have the contest at his mercy, but he hadn't shaken off Mireya when that one fell at the final flight, and with the long-time leader charging back, there was only half a length in it at the line.
Cross country maestro Enda Bolger landed a one-two in the Risk Of Thunder Chase when last year's winner Love Rory (11-4) repeated the trick, holding off stablemate Keep On Track by a length and a half in the hands of Adrian Heskin, with Big Shu third.
It completed a double for the jockey, who also scored when Kevin Prendergast's 16-1 shot Crafty Codger sprung a surprise in the Ballymore GAA Christmas Fair & Family Fun Day 3-Y-O Hurdle, beating favourite Tarabiyn by a length and three-quarters.< Shabra's Bertolini (14-1) hit the front on the run-in under Jonathan Moore to give trainer Anthony McCann a poignant first success in the Follow Punchestown On Facebook & Twitter Novice Handicap Hurdle since he took over from the late Olive
