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Review punchestown 30th Apr

PunchestownPunchestown
© Photo Healy Racing

Ruby Walsh chose right as 5-2 favourite Boston Bob lifted the Bibby Financial Services Ireland Punchestown Gold Cup.

Walsh also had the option of Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up On His Own but went for Boston Bob, even though he was rising more than half a mile in distance after his Melling Chase success.

While On His Own struggled from some way out, Boston Bob dispelled any stamina doubts by storming past First Lieutenant after jumping the last slightly awkwardly, and he was three and a quarter lengths clear at the line.

Mullins and owner Graham Wylie followed up when Shaneshill gained revenge on his Cheltenham conqueror Silver Concorde in the Attheraces.com Champion INH Flat Race.

Always prominent in the hands of Jamie Codd, the 5-1 chance quickened to the front on the turn and held Silver Concorde two lengths at bay.

Nicky Henderson and Barry Geraghty landed their second victories of the 2014 Festival when Beat That fought off Don Poli in a pulsating finish to the Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle.

Sent off the 11-8 favourite after success at this Grade One level at Aintree, the British raider had Mullins' Cheltenham Festival winner for company jumping the last and they went head to head to the line, with Beat That prevailing by a three-quarters of a length.< Le Vent D'Antan remains a bright prospect and continued his jumping education with a clear-cut success in the Louis Fitzgerald Hurdle as the 3-1 joint-favourite.< Orpheus Valley (28-1) was pulled up in the valuable Guinness Handicap Chase 12 months ago, but he made every post a winning one this time, although he was all out to hold the late thrust of Tony McCoy on Competitive Edge

Jody McGarvey kept Master Oscar (14-1) going to land the Martinstown Opportunity Series Final Handicap Chase, while the O'Reilly Recruitment INH Flat Race went the way of the Harry Fry-trained 9-2 shot Fletchers Flyer