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Review PUNCHESTOWN 18TH OCT

Iktitaf won the featured Ryan's Cleaning Services Hurdle as a 2/9 favourite should and he has been tightened generally in ante-post trading for the Champion Hurdle next March.

Settled in second by Paul Carberry ,behind the pace-setting Davenport Democrat, the 5yo took over entering the straight and drew clear of that rival from the last to win hard held by 8L.

Again Noel Meade outlined plans for the Cesarewitch winner to go for the Anglo Irish Bank Hurdle at Down Royal early next month followed by the Hatton's Grace at Fairyhouse in December.

A Meade/Carberry double was completed with Leading Run under a masterful steer from the pilot in the 2m 4f maiden hurdle.

The brilliant unbeaten bumper performer, a half-brother to the nine time victor, Strong Run, made it five from five on his hurdling bow, despite his jumping leaving a bit to be desired.

However the 11/8 favourite, after being switched to the inner after the last, stayed on well to lead near the finish, beating Badgerlaw (7/2 in the morning into 2/1) by a head.

A few gambles were landed by early shoppers with Gemini Lucy, backed from 7/1 into 3/1 with one leading firm, repaying the faith of her supporters with a decisive win.

Returned 7/2 behind the 6/5 favourite, Mounthenry, Jessica Harrington's mare made all in the Total Events Rental Novice Chase under Andrew Leigh.

She did hit the second last but she was clear again from before the last, staying on well to account for the market-leader by 4L.

Gemini Lucy's great-grand dam, Masterstown Lucy, produced Jodami. However this one herself looks more of a two-miler and received a 25/1 quote from Cashmans for the Arkle Chase.

Akhtari was the only one punters wanted to know in the shops for the h'cap chase and the 5/2 favourite showed his appreciation for an ease in the ground by completing back-to-back wins.

Conor O'Dwyer's mount had received a 9Ib hike in the ratings for an all-the-way Roscommon win just over a fortnight ago but that didn't stop him repeating the dose here for Dessie Hughes.

Boulavogue was supported from at least 7/4 in the morning into a returned evens for the opening 3yo maiden hurdle and he duly got off the mark over flights at the first time of asking.

Victorious in a Roscommon maiden over a mile and a half early last month, this son of Nilousha is following in his dam's hoof prints, she won a bumper, three on the flat, two hurdles and a chase.

Always to the fore under Ruby Walsh, the Turtle Island gelding led before the last and was clear early on the run-in, keeping on under pressure to beat the staying-on Victoria Night by 1 3/4L.

Successful trainer Charlie Swan mentioned the possibility of a trip to Auteuil in France for a hurdle on November 5th before a break for his charge.

Asian Alliance was all the rage for the h'cap hurdle, with as high as 5/1 being availed of in the offices, but the eventual 5/2 shot didn't figure in a race that went to Lemagurut, Michael Hourigan jnr/Davy Russell.

Lucky Heroine, so striking on her debut at Kilbeggan, emerged best in the bumper for Sheena Collins and James O'Farrell.