Busselton pulled out all the stops to land a dramatic renewal of the La Touche at Punchestown this afternoon.

The race complexion change at the 12th obstacle as front-runner Vanillier lost his hind end at a drop bank and unseated Keith Donoghue.

Bussleton was left disputing the lead with Vital Island and JJ Slevin drove his mount into a narrow lead going to the second last fence. Desertmore House came to join him at the last fence but a mistake there by him gave Busselton the advantage and he dug deep on the run-in to record a three-parts-of-a-length win.

The 7/1 winner had pulled up in the cross country event at Cheltenham on his last outing.

O’Brien said:- “It’s a special race, an historic race. It was really exciting for us as it was our first runner in it and even to have a horse for the banks this year was special.

“JJ has done a great job schooling this horse and gave him a fantastic ride today.

“I think the top of the ground is the real key to him. When he won the Kerry National he had real good ground and, as he’s getting a bit older, he needs that to be seen to his best effect.

“He’s won under all codes and hopefully will win again.”

Slevin told RTE:- “It’s a race I’ve always really wanted to win and it’s great to get it.

“He just got bogged in the ground at Cheltenham, when he went out on the track he just sank in it. On better ground today he enjoyed it.

“I got worried when I saw Desertmore House coming to the last because I knew how well he had schooled for Martin (Brassil).

“They are two good horses to run in a banks race and this is a special race to win.

“I’ve been watching these races for as long as I can remember and it’s special to win it.

“It’s great to see all the big trainers supporting it and there is a high quality horse going into it nowadays. You have to jump well and have a bit of ability to win them now.

“Joseph can do anything between Melbourne Cups and Irish Derbys, winning a La Touche around Punchestown over four-miles-one is unreal.”

(Quotes by Alan Magee)