Running off a chasing mark of 92 certainly aided 7/4 favourite Luke’s Benefit as this 105-rated hurdler powered home from in the two mile handicap chase at Punchestown.
Denis Hogan, trainer and rider of the winner, sat behind Lord Only Knows before picking up the lead three out. Senior Again (3/1) and Mark Walsh tried to close after the last but the winner was always holding him and prevailed by four-and-a-half-lengths.
“I blame myself the last day as he was taken on in front and I should have taken him back but he got a good toe today. He didn’t have to be in front,” Denis Hogan said.
“We’ll find something similar. On that ground I was just tyring to get him to pop away.” Hidden Diamond came home third fourteen lengths back from Senior Again. Pink Suitcase fell at the fifth and Oscar Dubh was pulled up before the last as five of the seven runners finished.
Michael Graham
