Na Trachtalai Abu, near side, moves into contention coming to the last© Photo Healy Racing
Na Trachtalai Abu swooped late to take the three mile handicap hurdle at Punchestown for James Motherway and Mark Walsh.
The 10/1 shot didn't appear to be the likely winner upon jumping the second last. He raced on the inner and was soon scrubbed along by Walsh approaching the bend in fourth place. Down Time had tanked into the lead and Andrew McNamara looked to have plenty of horse under him. However, he came off the bridle before the last with Generous Bond pressing him on his outer and Farriers Gold challenging on the inner.
Na Trachtalai Abu responded to Walsh's urgings and got on terms at the last with the three rivals mentioned above. He kept on best in the last 100 yards to win by a length and a quarter from 8/1 co favourite Oscar Chimes who finished with a rattle for second.
Generous Bond (50/1) and Niamh Machine at 25/1 finished close up in third and fourth respectively in this 24-runner contest.
James Motherway said: "It's good to get a winner at last. He's a nice little horse and probably appreciated the bit better ground.
"Mark said he was a difficult ride as he grabbed a hold early but dropped it mid-way. He came between horses down the back and started to come back into it.
"He needed every bit of Mark and he had to get stuck into him.
"He wants a trip and will jump a fence in time. He wants goodish ground and as long as it doesn't get dangerously quick he'll keep going."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
