< Fiveforthree demolished the opposition in the Ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle to give the powerful Willie Mullins-Ruby Walsh team a big victory at Punchestown.
Walsh oozed confidence on the grey, who was trying the three-mile trip for the first time, settling in rear before picking off his rivals one by one to arrive on Pettifour s heels approaching the last.
The 5-4 favourite jumped the final obstacle in front and sauntered clear to win by seven lengths, and could now go for the French Champion Hurdle before a career over fences.
Mullins followed up in the other Grade One race on the card, the Cathal Ryan Memorial Swordlestown Cup Novice Chase, when Barker showed the way home.
The 11-2 chance was sent into the lead approaching the third-last by David Casey and soon had his rivals toiling.< Forpadydeplasterer was brought wide to challenge at the next but a bad error stopped him in his tracks, and Barker popped over the last to win by 15 lengths.
The Mullins yard's well-backed Jessies Dream (2-1) completed a hat-trick in the Aon Insurances Hurdle under Walsh, bursting through to lead approaching the last and scoring by four lengths despite a clumsy jump.
The trainer made it a four-timer when his son Patrick took the Orbis INH Flat Race on Quel Esprit (8-11), who quickly settled the issue in the final furlong.
Cheltenham Festival hero Garde Champetre gave Enda Bolger a remarkable 11th victory in the Avon Ri Corporate & Leisure Resort Chase (La Touche Cup) over the banks course.
Nina Carberry was always nicely placed just behind the leaders as stablemate Heads Onthe Ground set the pace, and she stalked Silver Birch when the 2007 Grand National winner went on.
Garde Champetre (13-8) took over approaching the last and stayed on well to score by two lengths to provide a tonic for owner JP McManus.
Paul Stafford's Blueberry Boy (16-1) was smart at his best and showed he still has some of the old zest with a commanding victory in the Irish Sun Handicap Chase, taking command four out and running on well for Co
© www.irish-racing.com
