Punchestown doubles for Torrens and Verdant Place J.P. McManus' Verdant Place defied a 6lb rise for a January win to score successive Punchestown victories today, landing the David Trundley Artist Handicap Hurdle for trainer Pat Foley. The Walk In The Park-gelding was a well supported winning favourite at today's venue in January and today, again ridden by Simon Torrens, justified strong 5/2 favouritism in beating runner-up Gallant John Joe by three lengths. Torrens had won the opening cross-country race on Stealthy Tom and following the jockey's double, trainer Foley said “the ground was a bit worse than I thought coming here and they are saying it's dead. He got through it but I still think he might be a better horse on nicer ground. “We're delighted to get another win out of him and to go back-to-back. We'll see what the handicapper does now. I think that's his trip (2m7f) although maybe on nice ground you could drop him back a little bit. We'll keep him to 2m6f or three miles.” Quotes from Gary Carson
