What a difference a fortnight can make as Schindlers Hunt displayed when taking the beginners chase on his second outing over fences.
At this course fourteen days ago, the chestnut began his career over the larger obstacles but a bad mistake five out saw him lose his confidence and after further mistakes he came home a well-beaten fifth.
Admittedly that was a hot contest won by Gemini Lucy and 12/1 was taken this morning (returned 9/1) about Dessie Hughes' gelding atoning.
Two out, the favourite, Sky's The Limit was in front when making a mistake and the Paddy Flood ridden winner challenged and led soon after the last, all out to beat Rights Of Man by a neck.
The latter had made the running as usual and held every chance with a renewed effort on the run-in. Cashmans have introduced Schindlers Hunt into their Arkle Chase betting at 33/1.
A 79/1 double for Hughes and Flood came about half-an-hour later as the well-backed Dosco (10s into 7/1) ran out an un-extended 8L winner of the h'cap chase.
When two men in top form combine, it isn't really a surprise when they click, that certainly being the case when Ruby Walsh rode Sizing Australia a winner for the Henry De Bromhead yard.
Walsh, fresh from a treble at Exeter yesterday, had the four-year-old always prominent, led after four out, and stayed on well from before the last to go away and beat market-leader, Celtic Sammy by 9L.
De Bromhead had a double at Naas on Saturday last and this was the third Sizing to win for owner Alan Potts in recent weeks, after Sizing Europe and Sizing Africa.
Walsh completed a brace in the 2m h'cap hurdle on Tipperary All Star for Michael Halford. Cathal Ryan's gelding showed the benefit of a tie forward wind operation since he last competed over flights.
That procedure was carried-out after the six-year-old came back having run three times at Nad Al Sheba last January and February.
The former dual Listed winner was held up towards the rear, improved after two out and made smooth headway to lead at the last and quickened clear for a very easy 5L win.
Mark Fagan registered his second winner as a trainer under Rules when Derravarra Eagle upset some better fancied rivals in the opening novice hurdle under Bobby Molloy.
Despite veering badly left on the run-in, he was still able to beat the even money favourite, Breathing Fire by 2L.
Fagan, from outside Mullingar, is obviously fond of Punchestown having got off the mark here in June courtesy of I Don't Know.
The Fagan family own the Deravarra gallops and were responsible for Shesadoll, a dual victor between the flags this year.
Number three short-priced favourite in a row to finish second was Major Stampi in division two of the 2m 6f maiden hurdle, this one finding Marburg (finished lame) a half length too good.
John Murphy trains this Moonax gelding (his first winner since Crookhaven on June 11th) while Eddie Power did the riding, following up a win at Wexford last Saturday on Massini Magic.
Shuil Oisin, a half-brother to the five-times successful, Leos Shuil, was another result for the layers in the 2m maiden hurdle, under Denis O'Regan (very much in-form) for John Kiely.
O'Regan (enjoyed his initial treble at Wexford last Saturday), got the 12/1 shot up near the finish, despite not being fluent at the last, to beat Farmer Brown (7/2 joint fav) by half a length.
Joe Crowley has his string in great-order and he sent out another winner when The Very Man landed the bumper under Derek O'Connor.
Barry Geraghty misses Clonmel tomorrow with a swollen hand and he will have to pass the doctor in order to ride on Friday.
Mark Watts got a fall from Galway Light in the h'cap chase and after receiving a kick in the abdomen he was taken to Naas hospital for observation.
