Golden Ticket (Jody McGarvey, nearside) comes through to beat Heavenly Brook (Sean Flanagan) © Photo Healy Racing
Plenty of attention fell on the form horse, odds-on favourite Federici and Lukes Benefit, trying to win the Punchestown.com Handicap Chase for the fourth year in a row, but Golden Ticket (14/1) stole the limelight under Jody McGarvey.
Limerick second Federici couldn't raise his game from before the last and eventually had to settle for fourth place whilst Lukes Benefit kept on same pace in the straight for a moderate fifth position.
The Christy Roche-trained and J P McManus-owned Golden Ticket was sporting cheek-pieces for the first time on this occasion, instead of his usual blinkers.
The successful Australian-bred headed Heavenly Brook (2nd for the 5th time in a row) at the last before going on the prevail by half a length.
McManus' racing manager Frank Berry said: "Jody gave him a grand ride and it made up for Thurles the last day where they parted company. We'll find another little race for him somewhere." (AM & EM)
