Snugsborough Hall gained compensation for connections for an unfortunate mishap at Fairyhouse last month when landing the Grade B Pigsback.com Handicap Chase at Punchestown today.

The eight year old gelding was in strong contention when carried out at the second last fence by Mind's Eye at the recent Fairyhouse Easter festival. Today, again ridden by jockey Denis O'Regan, he gained a deserved success when easily beating runner-up Impact Factor by 11 lengths.

Winning trainer Liam Cusack later stated “we always felt there was going to be plenty of pace in the race which suited and I was just hoping they came back to us. He’s progressing nicely and was in off a light weight.

“He came out of the race in Fairyhouse well, and it’s great to win a nice prize at the Punchestown Festival. The lads who own him (Rising Sun Partnership) are real racing enthusiasts and I’m delighted with the way the horse has progressed throughout the season.

“I ran him before over longer trips to teach him to settle. He’s learning all the time but the handicapper is not going to be too kind to him. He’s pulled a front shoe and hopefully he comes home in one piece.

“He’s generally a good ground horse, and the way he won there you would be thinking of something like a two miles chase at Leopardstown over Christmas.”

The trainer added “I went home a bit deflated after Fairyhouse; it was Easter Sunday and I just got stuck into a big Easter egg! We’ll enjoy this win!”

Quotes from Alan Magee