Totally Dominant and Patrick Mullins © Photo Healy Racing
The money came for Away We Go and he didn't disappoint his supporters in the Follow Punchestown On Facebook Chase.
The Willie Mullins-trained veteran was back into 3-1 favourite having been available at much bigger odds in the morning and Paul Townend was taking no chances as he sent his mount to the front turning for home.< Pageboy and Cailin Annamh followed his move and put the favourite under pressure, but the winner was always doing enough and hung on by three-quarters of a lengths from David Wachman's gelding.
Townend was also on the mark with Elsie (7-4fav) in the Panoramic Restaurant Mares Maiden Hurdle, as Thomas Mullins' seven-year-old impressively stretched six lengths clear of Molly Connors
There was also a double on the night for Brian O'Connell, starting with Cape Glory in the Festival Dreams Begin In Ireland With Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Maiden Hurdle.
Gordon Elliott's four-year-old built on the promise of his two recent performances to open his hurdling account by two lengths from Grand Partner
O'Connell was on the mark again with Desertmore Stream in the Punchestown Handicap Hurdle, stealing a march on his rivals off the final bend to record a two-length verdict over Casimir Road < Art Of Logistics made his backers sweat a little in the opening E10 Admission Rated Chase.
Sent off a 2-9 shot on the back of an impressive course success, Dessie Hughes' charge had to work had to get to take it up from Back To Balloo and Loosen My Load at the final fence and was all out to hold the latter by a length at the finish.< Close Review just came out on top in a thrilling finish to the Punchestown For Events Handicap Chase.
Any number of runners were still in with a chance as they swung for home and it was the 12-1 shot, who came in as first reserve, that saw the testing trip out best to deny For A Finish by a neck.
