Sort It Out, left, keeps up the gallop in Punchestown© Photo Healy Racing
JP McManus' Punchestown got even better as he bagged his fourth winner on the final day of the festival with Sort It Out (6/1) in the Grade B handicap hurdle over two and a half miles.
The six-year-old gelding had been runner-up to Wicklow Brave in Cheltenham's County Hurdle and improved to fend off the challengers in this ultra-competitive heat.
He was there to be shot at by his 21 rivals as he was scrubbed along in the lead by Mark Walsh after jumping the second last. Arbre De Vie (5/1) travelled strongly off the pace but stumbled after this flight and lost some momentum.
Going into the home straight Sort It Out held a three-length advantage but Clondaw Warrior and Arbre De Vie began to cut into his lead at the last.
Sort It Out forged on strongly though and was able to hold fast-finishing Arbre De Vie by a length. Clondaw Warrior at 16/1 was half a length away in third. There was a major gamble on Pleasant Company from 8/1 to 7/2 favourite and those who backed him each way got a return as he came in fourth.
Trainer Eddie Harty said: "He was entitled to be there or thereabouts on his County Hurdle run which was probably over an inadequate trip.
"The ground as well as being soft is probably a bit patchy, and he was on and off (the bridle) but he stayed on well from the last.
"He's progressed very well, and I'm not sure where we go now. It has been a good season for him. "We put him away for this and he has done us proud thank God. I think that ground probably suits him better.
"Mark is probably unlucky not to be champion. I think he is riding even better since he's come back [from injury]."
This winner gave Walsh a double as he took the preceding race on Gallant Oscar
Willie Mullins trained the second, third and fourth home in this race.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
