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Punchestown 2024
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- Review fairyhouse 20th Apr
Review fairyhouse 20th Apr
Rebel Fitz and Barry Geraghty clear the last in the Powers Gold Cup
© Photo Healy Racing
< Rebel Fitz landed his first success at Grade One level when coming out best in an eventful renewal of the Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse.
The former Galway Hurdle hero, prolific over fences for the Mick Winters yard, was never travelling particularly smoothly but he was left in front at the second-last when the leader Ballycasey took a crashing fall while going well.
Another Willie Mullins-trained runner, Mozoltov had already departed, so Rebel Fitz (2-1) had only Bright New Dawn left in opposition, and Barry Geraghty pushed him well clear to score eased down by 15 lengths.
Mullins had better luck when Daneking landed a valuable success in the Boylesports Easter Festival Handicap Hurdle. Paul Townend was going nicely when he sent the 6-1 shot up to join Darwins Fox in the lead jumping the second-last and the stout stayer galloped on resolutely to win by three lengths.
Ned Buntline's absence left Paul Carberry free to switch to Road To Riches in the Coolmore Stud Novice Chase and the Noel Meade-trained seven-year-old won with some authority.
The favourite Mallowney looked to be travelling well when he threw down a challenge, but it was short-lived and Road To Riches (2-1) ran on strongly to score by three and three-quarter lengths.
The INH Stallion Owners EBF Novice Handicap Hurdle Series Final looked a competitive event on paper but Paul Fahey's 14-1 shot Lots Of Memories made a mockery of it, clearing right away to win by an easy six and a half lengths in the hands of Shane Butler.
Long-time leader Emperor Of Exmoor looked to be a sitting duck as Tawseef travelled up smoothly to challenge in the Irish Field Maiden Hurdle, but Dessie Hughes's 4-1 shot dug deep for Mark Enright and held on by a length.
David Splaine sent Pivot Bridge ahead going to the final flight in the Gleesons Butchers Novice Handicap Hurdle and Ado McGuinness's 25-1 outsider held Desertmore Stream who made late progress, by three lengths.