Gameball too quick for Punchestown opponents Gameball (15/8) made a winning debut over flights in the opening BetVictor Maiden Hurdle at Punchestown. A Ballinrobe bumper winner for Andy Slattery in July, the Yeats gelding is now trained by Henry de Bromhead for Basil Holian. Here, in a steadily-run contest, the five-year-old raced in third under Darragh O'Keeffe and made smooth headway to lead before the last. In command when not fluent at that final obstacle, he went away to beat O'reilly by six lengths. “He was keen a lot of the way and jumped quick," said de Bromhead. “Basil spotted him in Ballinrobe and bought him. “He’d been working nicely. He wouldn’t blow you away at home but the Slatterys said they really liked him and recommended him. “He did that nicely, so we’ll get him home and go from there. “Darragh said he was fresh going to the start, so he decided to lock him up on the rail and get him a bit of cover.” Paddy Power cut the winner to 33/1 (from 40s) for the Supreme Novices Hurdle. Additional reporting by Alan Magee
