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Punchestown 2024
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Review leopardstown 27th Dec
< Douvan delivered another performance of the highest order as Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh once again dominated proceedings at Leopardstown.
Fresh from a treble on the opening day of the Christmas Festival, Mullins sent out his stable star for the Paddy Power Cashcard Chase and victory for the 1-8 never looked in doubt.
He jumped and travelled powerfully in second before hitting the front after the second-last, and Walsh hardly had to move a muscle for Douvan to stroll eight lengths clear of Sizing John
Mullins also claimed the other Grade One on the card, the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle, although it was the Paul Townend-ridden Saturnas who came out on top rather than Walsh's better-fancied mount Riven Light
The 9-2 winner engaged in a tussle with Brelade in the straight and got the better of it by a couple of lengths.
Some interesting recruits from the Flat went to post for the Paddy Power 'Only 363 Days Till Christmas' 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle and it was Meri Devie who came out on top.
Mullins' French import was backed down to 11-8 favouritism and after jumping the last with a slight advantage over main market rival Housesofparliament found a better turn of foot to triumph by five lengths.
Mullins and Walsh were at it again when last season's smart bumper performer Bacardys (4-6 favourite) put a jumping debut tumble behind him in the Paddy Power 'Easiest To Use Mobile App' Maiden Hurdle.
Walsh completed a four-timer of his own when producing Tom Mullins' 3-1 favourite That's A Wrap with a late thrust in the Paddy Power 'You Beauty' Handicap Hurdle.
Willie Mullins landed his fifth winner on the card with Ballyward in the Paddy Power Games 'One For The Road' Flat Race, but his well-fancied The Crafty Butcher had to play second fiddle in the Paddy Power Chase to the Gordon Elliott-trained Noble Endeavor (6-1), who struck by three and a half lengths.