Review PUNCHESTOWN 3-MAY-2000

The Walsh family luck continued at Punchestown when Irish National hero Commanche Court followed up in an incident-packed Heineken Gold Cup.

Front-running Micko's Dream and the chasing Dorans Pride had stolen a couple of lengths over their rivals when the former crashed out at the 3rd last bringing down Michael Hourigan's 11yo.

Also impeded in the melee was Cathcart winner Stormyfairweather (6/4f), Macgeorge and Addington Boy who ran on well for 2nd spot behind Dermot Desmond's 10/3 winner and Ruby Walsh.

'One of those funny sort of races,' remarked Ruby Walsh before he added, 'When you're luck is in, it's in.'

'Dorans Pride appeared to be the unlucky horse as he was travelling well when brought down but our fellow had to jump over Micko's Dream as well', added the dual Grand National winning trainer.

Mick Fitzgerald (Stormyfairweather) was banned for two days after the Stewards found he was quilty of careless riding.

Fitzgerald told the officials that after he was hampered he was about to take the wrong course until corrected by Adrian Maguire who was riding on his outside.

Michael Hourigan had better luck later when he saddled Amberleigh House to win the 2m4f handicap chase under Philip Carberry.

Earlier Willie Mullins, trainer of Micko's Dream, found the winners enclosure when The Next Step (14/1) initiated a brace for Ruby Walsh in the Noel Ryan Memorial Hurdle.

'He's a born chaser and we might put him away now although there is a chance he could go for a novice chase soon,' said Mullins.

One lucky Jackpot investor scooped a dividend of #43,578 after John Kiely's Liss A Paoraigh (8/1-9/1) swept into the lead under Pat Crowley at the furlong pole to win the winners bumper.

Carmel O'Brien from Killmalay who invested just #8 (2x2x2x2) will also take home a BMW 323 Coupe if she is the only single jackpot winner over the 4 days.

If there is more than one single daily winner the names will go into a draw after racing on Friday.

Racing concluded with the Hunters chase going to Sheltering (5/2-9/4f) after Gunner Welburn came to grief at the last when giving chase, hampering runner-up Satchmo.

'At Cheltenham he got left at the start, never travelled and fell at the 4th. He came back not looking great but hopefully we'll get it right next year,' said Edward O'Grady.

The Tote aggregate produced a course record #588,130.

BF

What's Up Boys, formerly trained by Eric McNamara, stayed on well for Richard Johnson to scoop the 2m4f novice hurdle with Sackville (11/10f) only 5th.

'We knew he wanted firm and he did it well. Punchestown iss a lucky place a s we had two winners here last year,' said Hobbs.