Review PUNCHESTOWN 18TH JAN

Kieran Kelly captured the riding honours and in the process achieved a notable career milestone when he completed his first treble at Punchestown on Saturday afternoon.

Mutineer set the ball rolling for the twenty-four-year-old when he followed up on his Leopardstown Christmas success over hurdles when staying on gamely to hold a gallant Kenilworth in the Ryan's Cleaning Services Juvenile Hurdle.

The grey is among the entries for the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham next month with Cork firm Cashmans cutting the Dessie Hughes-trained gelding to 50/1 from 66's for the juvenile championship crown at the Cotswolds.

Easy-to-back Smuggler's Song (2/1-4/1), making his hurdling debut for new trainer Christy Roche, raced towards the rear throughout under Charlie Swan and not helped by several mistakes finished a disappointing sixth. Well supported Harchibald (5/2-7/4f) weakened before the last to finish only seventh in the hands Paul Carberry.

The Hughes/Kelly alliance combined again later in the Campbell & Associates Handicap Chase when What's The Score, bred by his owner Mark O'Connor, stayed on dourly in the straight to repel the challenge of Shady Lad while Kelly rounded off a tremendous afternoon when partnering Berkley to score for Michael Cullen in the maiden hurdle.

Not for the first time at Punchestown this season Paul Carberry also enjoyed a profitable session in the plate, much to the joy of favourite backers, when he completed a double via Native Commander and Reminiscer.

The champion rider bided his time in typical fashion aboard top-weight Native Commander in the Hunt Stand Handicap Chase before he coaxed the Pat Morris-trained eight-year-old to the front on the run down to the last before landing the spoils at the expense of Rattothetattat.

Half-an-hour later he found the winners enclosure again in similar style, this time on another well backed market leader Reminiscer for former rider Kevin O'Brien and the Cottage Rake Syndicate in the Vincent Doherty & Co Handicap Hurdle.

Supported from 9/2 to start at the head of affairs at 7/2 he also benefited from a patient ride from the Meathman this time sweeping to the front on the run down to the final flight to come home with two-and-half lengths to spare over light-weight Gemmas Lady.

'He has come good and I hope he keeps going in the right direction,' said O'Brien, before he nominated another handicap at Naas next Saturday for his dual winner this season.