Notice To Close jumps the last with Angels Dawn© Photo Healy Racing
Seamus Neville's Notice To Close (14/1) held on in a thrilling finish to the extended two mile seven handicap chase on Punchestown's card. John Adams unseated Michael O'Sullivan at the first and carried the leader Wa Wa out in the early stages of this staying test. Notice To Close, who was tracking Wa Wa was left in the lead and made the rest.
His lead was eroded by strong-finishing 3/1 favourite Angels Dawn who surged upsides at the last, however, she got it all wrong. Notice To Close kept going towards the winning post, but was all out to repel Angels Dawn who powered home after recovering her poise before going down by a short head.
Follow The Crowd looked threatening in third spinning the home bend but could give no more between the final two fences. He was five and a half lengths back in third at 5/1.
The winner was dismounted on the track after the race, but jockey JJ Slevin explained: “There is not a bother on him. He’s on a check list for dismounting when they get distressed once, but he’s perfect.
“He’s a hardy boy. He liked that ground and liked the trip. His point-to-point form was strong enough when he beat Snow Falcon in Dromahane and we thought if he reproduced that he’d be bang there.”
This was Notice To Close's third victory over fences to go with two hurdles and four point-to-points.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
