Review PUNCHESTOWN 4TH FEB

Nickname emerged from the mist at Punchestown to run out an easy winner of the Byrne Group PLC Tied Cottage Chase on Sunday.

Punters saw little of the action as a blanket of fog covered the course just before the feature event but they did witness Martin Brassil's star quickening into the lead before the last in the Grade 2 contest.

Ruby Walsh's mount soon put daylight between himself and his rivals for a seven-length success.

Champion chaser Newmill had an unhappy return to fences, taking a heavy fall four out. He suffered a cut above his eye, which required stitches.

'Ruby said he settled lovely and they went a good gallop,' said Brassil. 'He got checked on the turn-in as Tumbling Dice came in on him but got a grand run when they went wide following Steel Band.

'I'm very happy with that and he will go for the Newlands Chase at Naas next. He's having it so easy that the races aren't taking a lot out of him.'

Orbit O'Gold left his Pierse Hurdle run well behind when making all to cause a 50/1 shock in the Byrne Group PLC Novice Hurdle.

Niall Madden's mount always looked like holding his rivals down the straight as De Valira chased in vain, getting to within three lengths.

'As far as the handicapper is concerned that wasn't a great idea!' quipped trainer Noel Meade.

'He ran in the Pierse Hurdle and I made Paul ride him because I thought he had the best chance, but he was disappointing.

'The lads are keen to go to Cheltenham and I think after that he could go for the two mile race (Supreme Novices).'

Michael O'Brien, trainer of Da Valira, soon got into the winners' enclosure as Montana Bay ran out an easy winner of the Eadestown GAA Club Maiden Hurdle.

Andrew Lynch sent his mount to the front three out and he stretched clear before the turn to record a cosy five-and-a-half length victory.

The Aspace Cabins Grand National Trial produced a thrilling finish with Teeming Rain getting up on the run-in to score by three-parts-of-a-length from Dublin Hunter.

The winner could have the Irish National on the agenda, although Charlie Swan's charge needs soft ground.

The fog lifted just in time for the Cross Country Chase and Heads Onthe Ground kept up Enda Bolger's remarkable banks strike rate.

JT McNamara had the 3/1f handy throughout and kicked on at the second last for a cosy 10-length victory over Silver Birch.

The Cheltenham bumper could be on the agenda for Judge Roy Bean after he made an impressive debut in the bumper, under JP Magnier.

Edward O'Grady's charge pulled clear of his field in good style, inside the final furlong, to score by seven lengths. Sean Graham made him a 20/1 shot for the festival contest.

Contessa Messina overhauled the brave front-running Oulart close home to claim the opening Jim Ryan Racecourse Services Handicap Hurdle while Jack The Hough ran out a convincing four-length winner of the 2m4f handicap chase.