Midnight Run and Bryan Cooper pictured on their way to victory© Photo Healy Racing
Midnight Run picked the most opportune time to get off the mark over fences, as he ran out an easy winner of the feature at Punchestown this afternoon, the Grade 2 Oak Lodge Landscapes Craddockstown Novice Chase.
Without a win on his first seven starts over the larger obstacles, the Joseph O'Brien-trained gelding filled the runner-up spot at Roscommon in a Grade 3 contest on his penultimate outing.
Last seen finishing third of six in another Grade 3 contest, the Well Chosen eight-year-old was sent off a 7/4 (touched 3/1 earlier) chance this afternoon.
Sent straight to the front by Bryan Cooper, he made all. Briefly join four out, he kicked on after the next and came home nine lengths to the good.
.Mars Harper (5/1) filled the runner-up spot under Davy Russell for Gordon Elliott.
.Hallowed Star was returned the 6/4 favourite but he didn't jump with much fluency and paid the ultimate price when falling four fences from home.
"In fairness he always turns up and runs his race. He deserved to get his head in front and it's great to win a Graded race with him," O'Brien said of the Gigginstown House Stud owned bay.
"Bryan said it was as good as he ever felt him jumping as he has been inclined to make an odd mistake. I thought he gave him a great ride and used his experience.
"He can mix it between Graded races and nice handicaps like the Dan Moore wherever the ground isn't heavy."
STEWARDS REPORTS
S.F. O'Keeffe, rider of Gaelic Arc trained by John Patrick Ryan, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount was badly hampered by the faller.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Grand Paradis (FR), trained by Gordon Elliott, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
