Review PUNCHESTOWN 24th Apr

Stamina won the day as Blazing Bailey claimed an unlikely victory in the ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle.

The Aintree winner was one of the first off the bridle and going nowhere in the Grade One contest as Cooldine and Venalmar set sail for home turning in.

Refinement then came with a massive run and looked the most likely victor but Robert Thornton conjured another rally out of the 100-30 market leader and he stayed on best of all to score by seven lengths.

Big Zeb (4-1) has always threatened to plunder a big prize and put his best foot forward in the Cathal Ryan Memorial Swordlestown Cup.

Colm Murphy's charge had been runner-up at the elite level on his last two starts and appeared booked for minor honours at best again when Perce Rock and J'y Vole forged clear down the back.

Barry Geraghty bided his time though, and gradually clawed back the leaders before staying on to beat Thyne Again by four lengths.

Oh Jackie sprung a 25-1 surprise when outbattling Wonderkid in the La Touche Cup.

Ken Whelan sent his mount to the front a long way from the home, but looked a sitting duck when market principals Wonderkid and Freneys Well loomed up.

However, the mare was not to be denied and fought hard to score by two lengths.

Scottish Champion Hurdle third Kalahari King showed no ill effects from last Saturday's effort when storming home in the Aon Hurdle.

Fourth in the Supreme Novices' prior to that, Ferdy Murphy's 5-1 chance travelled like a class act and after cruising to the front between the last two, he sprinted two and a half lengths clear of Boulavogue in the style of an exciting prospect.

Ruby Walsh took another step towards the jockeys' title when Irish Invader (3-1) justified favouritism in the One 51 Handicap Chase.

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