Luck can play a vital role in any sport, and the gods were certainly shining on the Pat Hughes-trained Windfall who recorded a fortuitous victory under Paul Carberry in the two miles maiden hurdle.
Raise A Storm appeared to have the race in safe keeping when at least six lengths clear at the final flight but Mark Grant's mount failed to get his landing gear out and slumped to the ground, leaving Windfall to come home ten lengths ahead of Mr Shush.
'My luck seems to be changing as I've been involved in four photo's this year with three of them winning, and this horse was going to be beaten ten lengths. He's rated 103 but if he's a 103 horse then I should be playing full-back for Kilkenny!' said a delighted Hughes afterwards.
David Casey, who recorded a double at Punchestown's evening meeting on Thursday, repeated the dose when successful in both handicap hurdles on D'Biddys Step and Halley's Comet respectively.
D'Biddys Step was produced with a well-timed challenge in the two miles event leading just after the last to beat Fate Of The Wind by a length and a half. 'The plan was to drop her in and come late, and it worked out well,' said trainer Michael McCullagh, who also pointed to the fast ground and drop in trip for the six-year-olds' improved form.
Casey completed a 224/1 double on Halley's Comet in the two and three quarter miles handicap, again riding patiently to pip Handsome Gigalow by two lengths.
Fairwood Present made virtually all in the opening two and a half miles maiden hurdle and, despite jumping poorly throughout, kept on well for David O'Leary to beat King Of The Arctic by two and a half lengths. 'This is a horse that I've always thought alot of but he jumped terrible out on his own in front. David said he was idling in the lead, and he will race away over the summer with Galway a possible target,' said trainer Philip Rothwell.
Wayne Lordan has enjoyed a fruitful week, and the talented light-weight was again seen to good effect aboard Borrismore Lass in the mile and a half handicap. The four-year-old struck the front half a mile out, and kept up the gallop to beat Kevins View by four lengths. 'She tends to run a bit free, and this tight track suits her. She can't get the ground quick enough, and may go hurdling later this year,' said John O'Shea, who has 20 riding out at his Co. Kilkenny stables.
Alan Magee
