Jockey Mark Walsh recorded his third winner of the week at Punchestown today, steering the Nicky Henderson trained and J.P. McManus owned Snake Eyes to win the Star Best For Racing Coverage Novice Hurdle.

Walsh, who was a clear leader of the Jockeys Championship until an injury in late February scuppered his chances, yesterday partnered Jezki to Grade 1 victory and today moved Snake Eyes past Tandem and to the front jumping the last before beating off the challenge of Pyromaniac

Afterwards Henderson stated "I was pleased with that. He's been a bit unlucky. I took him to Aintree but he had a problem with his back and I couldn't get a saddle on him.

"He also got balloted out at Cheltenham. It's probably not the hottest race of the week but it's lovely to win a race with him here. He could possibly go chasing next year."

"I was a little under-armed here this week. I'll always bring horses here but it's not quite like previous years with Sprinter Sacre and the likes.

"With what Willie Mullins did to us at Cheltenham there didn't seem much point coming here and getting a bashing in his own back yard!"

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson