Review PUNCHESTOWN 30TH OCT

Noel Meade and Paul Carberry combined for a short-odds double with Narquois and Gem Daly. Both did as their starting prices suggested they would.

Narquois led after two out and was soon clear, eased after the last to beat Another Jayjay by 8L. The French-bred was justifying 4/6 favouritism.

At the corresponding odds against, Gem Daly half-an-hour after, made all. He was clear four out but Venalmar, the second fav, closed from the penultimate flight.

However the long-absent bumper winning Gem Daly stayed on well under pressure from the last to comfortably outpoint Venalmar by 3 1/2L.

Ah Ya Boy Ya and Curragh Mountain were the two punters wanted to know about most in the opening maiden hurdle and the market was correct as they filled the first two placings.

The former, the 11/8 favourite, overcame the inconvience of a slow jump at the last under Alan Crowe, Christy's Roche's charge staying on well to beat Curragh Mountain by 1 1/2L.

After a run of three victorious favourites, Trafford Lad, a 9/2 shot, won the fourth. Mhic Mocroi, the one for money this morning and the 3/1 favourite, could only manage seventh.

Trafford Lad under Tom Doyle for Dusty Sheehy, like Ah Ya Boy Ya, threw a slow leap at the final hurdle but the leader kept on well for a comfortable 3 1/2L win over Oscar Lyons.

Shakey Scaffold (20/1) caused a surprise in division one of the h'cap hurdle for Philip Rothwell and Shane Jackson. Double Kudos ensured a Jackpot rollover of E20,131.50 in the second split.