On what was a generally competitive looking card at Punchestown last evening the opening race was the total opposite. Restoration went to post the 4/9 favourite in the hands of Denis O Regan and the grey son of Zafonic completed the task with ease.
That is two wins on the trot now and apart from a slight mistake at the second last fence where he brushed the top of the fence, odds on backers had little to fear.
Winning trainer Noel Meade laughed afterwards, 'He did exactly what it said on the tin,' Before continuing, 'He has taken to jumping fences well considering he is a flat bred horse. He moves effortlessly on the ground and I will just give him a break now before deciding where to go. There are a few races at Galway which he could run in and it is possible we would run him on the flat at some stage.'
Even money favourite Eagles Pass under Ruby Walsh obliged in the Kildare Nationalist Hurdle - a race that had a dramatic climax. Dreamy Gent was coming to challenge Gleann An Sagart at the second last flight but the latter fell and brought down Dreamy Gent, which left Eagles Pass clear to record an eight length-winning margin. Jockey of Dreamy Gent, Andrew Leigh suffered a dislocated thumb while Michael Darcy (Gleann An Sagart) was stood down with a sore knee. Ken Whelan who rode Jupiter Ficial was none the worse for his fall at the same hurdle.
'He was probably a bit flat having run back so soon after Wexford and he will get a break now but I will consider taking him to Galway,' revealed winning trainer Thomond O' Mara.
Joanna Morgan saddled her seventh winner in eleven days when Katcharto Lady ran out an impressive winner of the penultimate race on the card. Ridden by John Cullen who himself has been in great form with five winners in the last week partnered the mare by Victory Note to a one and a half length success.
A delighted Morgan said afterwards, 'She is a lovely mare and in foal to Definite Article. She will keep going for now and probably run on the flat next but she is a mare I would love to have for the whole summer.'
Tuatha De Danann was having his first run for Tony Mullins having moved from the Phillip Rothwell yard and he surprised his trainer and the punters when returning a 16/1 winner of the Pierse Group Handicap Chase over two and a half miles.
Davy Russell was aboard the nine-year-old mare and he settled her in at the back of the field before making steady progress four from home. The pair joined long time leader De Chirico and Tommy Tracey at the second last before going clear at the final flight to score by three lengths.
'I only have her since the end of March and Davy (Russell) said she jumped brilliantly and he got to give her a breather she jumped so well. We will go to for another handicap now,' revealed surprised Tony Mullins.
Not seen since St Stephens Day, Safari Run made a winning return to action when landing the two-mile mare's maiden hurdle for David Casey and restricted licensed trainer Tim Hyde. The 9/4 favourite made good ground at the approach to the turn in and went clear of her only challenger I Don't Know to score by eleven lengths. A quick reappearance in a mares hurdle in Listowel on Sunday could be the plan according to the trainer's son and namesake.
Lyceum got up in the dying strides of the McInerney Maiden to see off long time leader Harcas by half a length. The Dessie Hughes trained gelding by Trempolino was a very fast finisher under Roger Loughran in the colours of the D A South Side Syndicate making it a winning debut over hurdles.
Dessie Hughes was pleased with his flat recruit, 'He quickened well to the line and considering it was his first run over hurdles he should only improve. We will look for a winners of one now and aim him for Galway.'
By Niall Cronin
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