Desertmore House enjoying himself over the banks The 2023 Kerry National winner Desertmore House (3/1) took the opening Colm Quinn BMW Risk Of Thunder Steeplechase at Punchestown in the hands of Ricky Doyle. Runner-up in the La Touche Chase at this venue's festival meeting in May, the Court Cave gelding has clearly taken well to cross-country racing and raced prominently throughout.  In a race where several obstacles were omitted as a result of reduced visibility due to the bright sunlight, the winner asserted after the second-last and stayed on well to post a four-lengths victory over 9/4 favourite The Goffer.  Winning trainer Martin Brassil said: “He loves it now. It was his first (cross-country) run here in the La Touche in the spring and he was good.  “We had him here the other day just for a pop around and he was looking for the next bank. He was just attacking the whole thing, and I thought he’d run a big race.  “We’ll probably aim for Cheltenham in the spring, and I’d say he’ll love it around there too.  “He’s very adaptable and quick on his feet. He’s a great horse and it’s great to have him.”  Additional reporting by Alan Magee
