Punches Cross strong at the finish© Photo Healy Racing
Punches Cross cut down Mount Hanover to win the Casey Precast Handicap Chase in Wexford for Joseph O'Brien and JJ Slevin.
Slevin rode a patient race on the son of Stowaway over this two and a half mile trip.
They made their move on the inner approaching two out but couldn't be called an obvious winner at the last.
Mount Hanover jumped it in front as Punches Cross, who had switched to the centre of the course, jumped into second and began to stay on.
The six-year-old gelding powered home to collar Mount Hanover in the closing stages and win going away by two and a quarter lengths at 7/1.
He foiled a punt on Mount Hanover who was backed from 7/2 to 9/4 favourite. Deans Road completed the placings in third at 16/1, some eight lengths further back.
“That was good. It went nicely for him and JJ has given him a peach of a ride,” said assistant trainer Brendan Powell.
“He's gone all the way around the inner, saving ground. He said he loves to be firing at something at the last.
“JJ said he couldn't actually see the last two fences and it probably actually suited him.
“He's picked up from the last, I think the other horse was probably there on sufferance, and he's done it nicely at the end.
“I thought the ground might just be a bit testing for him but he seemed to cope with it today, so maybe it wasn't as bad as they thought it was.
“He hasn't won for a while, so it's nice to get him back in front again.
“He looks well, and looks in good form, so hopefully can get another one.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
