Ruby Walsh completed a double on the final day of the National Hunt season at Punchestown initiated by Tacin, a first training success in Ireland for former top jump jockey Brendan Powell.
Lambourn-based Powell, who was brought up close to the track at Kill, said afterwards, 'The ground has gone too quick for him in England, so we decided to come over here. He will go chasing next season, and I also hope to have a few more runners in Ireland over the summer.' The six-year-old gelding was up with the pace throughout, and stayed on well from the home turn in this three mile maiden hurdle to beat Satcoman by seven lengths.
Walsh later completed a 31.5/1 double aboard Finians Ivy in the novice handicap chase, surviving a blunder at the last to beat The Moyne Machine by two and a half lengths. Paul Carberry took the championship for the second successive year with 107 wins, 17 ahead of Barry Geraghty with Walsh on the 80 winner mark.
Alan Crowe celebrated landing the amateur riders title by partnering Catalpa Cargo to justify favouritism in the RFL Steel Hurdle. Crowe recorded his 19th victory of the campaign, three ahead of nearest rival Jamie Codd, as the Buckskin gelding kept on under pressure to beat Mullacash by four and a half lengths. 'He's a serious horse but has broken down a few times,' said Christy Roche, who finished up third numerically in the trainers table with 42 wins.
Noel Meade is the clear champion among the training ranks with 75 wins and total prize-money of 1.5 million euro.
Alan Magee
