Espion Du Chenet and Phillip Enright pictured on their way to victory© Photo Healy Racing
Espion Du Chenet came from last to first to land the opener at Punchestown this afternoon, the Ladbrokes We Play Together Handicap Chase.
A brilliant servant for connections, the eight-year-old was recording his seven career success in this two mile contest, his sixth in Ireland since arriving from France.
Sent off a 10/1 chance under Phillip Enright, the Louise Lyons trained chestnut raced towards rear and was sixth approaching three out.
Pushed along to challenge after the next, he got to the front before the final fence, keeping on well from there to score by two-and-a-quarter lengths.
The front-running Zarkareva (5/1) had to settle for second under Rachael Blackmore for Henry de Bromhead, while Embittered (9/4f), who made a costly bad mistake at the second last, was another length-and-a-half back in third.
"Nicky (Teehan, owner and partner of the winning trainer) and Louise said that he always runs well when he's held up," said Enright.
"Ryan Treacy told me to let him find his feet, I rode him in Aintree and was forceful on him down over the first couple of fences and never got into a rhythm jumping.
"He warmed to it today and I was able to give him a squeeze at the third last and second last and he responded.
"They said to get him relaxed and jumping and he'd come home well, the light weight was probably a big help.
"I was quite happy going to the third last and winged it. I know I was getting caught a little wide and just wanted to get past Battleoverdoyen to get in so I wasn't too wide.
"Often the ground can be a little bit better when you stay wide in Punchestown so I wasn't overly worried as it's a long straight.
"He winged the second last and I probably ended up getting there a little sooner than I wanted but I was rolling so I just kept going.
"He was like a ballerina at the last and it was great to get a winner for Louise."
Ryan Treacy, the regular rider of Espion De Chenet, has been out of action since a fall at Killarney on May 15th.
STEWARDS REPORTS
P. Townend, rider of Grand Bornand (FR) trained by W.P. Mullins, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount made a bad mistake early on and also made an abnormal respiratory noise prior to pulling up.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Grand Bornand (FR), trained by W.P. Mullins, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be coughing post race.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
