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Review punchestown 31st Dec

< Mikael D'Haguenet made it two wins on the bounce with a bloodless display in the Follow Punchestown On Facebook Hurdle at the County Kildare track.< Western Leader making his first start since April 2010, set a sound gallop and soon had Willie Mullins' 2-5 favourite toiling in his wake.

However, Ruby Walsh did not have to get too serious after taking the lead at the last on Mikael D'Haguenet, and pushed him out for a sevan and a half-length success.< Son Amix finally got off the mark over fences in the Punchestown Hospitality Beginners Chase.

Tom Cooper's 7-4 chance had finished second on his previous two completed chase starts before unseating at Leopardstown, but he showed no such jumping frailties here under Bryan Cooper.< Soll put in a huge leap at the last to edge ahead, but Son Amix had enough in the tank to land the spoils by a neck.

Paul Carberry got the better of Walsh in a titanic battle for the Festive Hospitality 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle.

Carberry's mount Shadow Catcher (7-4 favourite) looked the winner when squeezing between horses to lead just after the last, but long-time leader Darroun responded admirably to Walsh's urgings and was just half a length down at the line.

Katie Walsh got herself on the scoresheet when another favourite in That'll Do Me (10-3) waltzed to victory in the Buy Your Tickets Online Handicap Hurdle

Denis Hogan struck in the Buy Annual Membership 2012 Handicap Chase when guiding Luke's Benefit to victory.

The jockey, who also trains the 7-4 favourite, was happy to strike for home a long way out and stretched the lead rounding the home turn.< Senior Again gave chase close home, but Luke's Benefit ran on well to score by four and a half lengths.< Sorted (9-2) took the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle, while the Punchestown.com (Pro-Am) INH Flat Race went to 7-1 chance Kates Benefit