Argento Boy wins the first at Punchestown The Celebrating 175 Years At Punchestown Tote Beginners Chase went to Willie and Danny Mullins as Argento Boy (5/1) capitalised on the opportunity afforded to him at the fourth-last where the market principals both departed the contest. Mullins' other runner, the Paul Townend-ridden Ballygunner Castle (15/8), fell when in front and brought down 6/5 favourite Slade Steel who was tracking the leader under Darragh O'Keeffe and had nowhere to go on the landing side. Soon in front, Argento Boy, in the Galopin Des Champs colours of Mrs Audrey Turley, made the best of his way home from that point. He ran around and had a little look at the wing on the approach to the final fence, but got over it safely and stayed on well to account for Pray Tell by five and a half lengths. A maiden hurdle winner at this venue last term, Argento Boy had himself fallen on chase debut here in mid-December. Winning trainer Willie Mullins said "Nice to see Danny picking up the pieces again on Argento Boy who was running a cracker here the last day when he slipped up. “I was very happy that he was able to do that over that trip. He jumped a lot better. “He was green enough at times, especially coming to the last. We put cheekpieces on him over hurdles and might do the same over fences.”
