Quite a serious last hurdle error threatened to ruin a masterly display of riding from the front in the featured Grade 3 Juvenile Hurdle at Punchestown on Saturday. However, thankfully for supporters of Paul Carberry and Cupla Cairde, the partnership remained intact to gain a well-deserved victory.
Ground gained when taking a few lengths out of the opposition after two out, proved vital for the Dessie Hughes-trained 5/1 shot in holding off the strong-finish of 4/9 favourite, Top Strategy.
Hughes said in the aftermath 'he goes on the ground and is a good stayer. We'll see how he gets on at Fairyhouse early next month before deciding about Cheltenham.'
Bookmakers Paddy Power reacted to the race by introducing the winner at 66/1 for the Triumph Hurdle whilst impressive Denny winner Top Strategy has been eased from 20/1 out to 33/1.
Dessie Hughes later doubled his tally in the long distance maiden hurdle. Here Barry Geraghty took the ride on the 11/4 favourite, Hard Winter who was prominent throughout, led at the last and ultimately ran out a comfortable four length victor.
'He wasn't quick enough to win a bumper and we might try a handicap with him now depending on the mark he gets. If not he'll go chasing,' commented Hughes on his winner.
Gary Hutchinson, rider of Top Strategy, enjoyed better fortune in the opener, when he himself successfully adopted front-running tactics aboard Snapper Creek.
The improving eight-year-old put up quite an eye-catching performance in the novice hurdle. Stepping up from a Tramore maiden success looked a tall order for John Berry's charge but he proved well up to the challenge, coming home an impressive seven length winner.
It was apparent before the straight that Hutchinson's mount had all of his rivals floundering to make an impression, the uneasy market-leader, Euro Leader eventually filling the runner-up spot. According to Berry, the son of Castle Keep will now be stepped up in class with a Cheltenham entry only a possibility. Powers introduced Snapper Creek into their SunAlliance betting as a 33/1 shot.
Division one of the bumper saw another Wexford winner in the shape Petertheknot who justified 9/10 favouritism with the very minimum of fuss. After cruising to the front early in the straight, Pat Sinnott's charge was pushed clear inside the final furlong by Jamie Codd to record a five length win. A winners bumper may now feature on this fellow's itinerary.
Codd completed a double for his boss Willie Mullins in the other divide of this contest when he had to work much harder on another 'jolly', Homer Wells (5/4 to 4/5), the two length winner.
Joy for the connections of Cronin's Boy, a game winner of the handicap hurdle, was tempered to a fair extent when Michael Darcy's mount returned very lame after a hard-fought length victory.
Winning trainer Eamonn Sheehy explained 'he done a suspensory before but I'm not sure if it was on the same leg. Plans will depend on how bad he is.'
