Nettuno Italia lands Punchestown finale under Gilligan The Ross O'Sullivan trained Nettuno Italia belatedly registered a first career success when easily taking the concluding Matchbook Betting Exchange Handicap Hurdle at Punchestown. A nine-race maiden coming into the contest, the John Place owned gelding got off the mark in emphatic fashion under Danny Gilligan. Held up in mid division early on, the 4/1 chance made headway to track the leaders after three out. Moving second after the penultimate flight, Nettuno Italia headed leader Aine's Lad on the run to the last, before easing clear to score by seven-and-a-half lengths. Ross O’Sullivan said: “A deserved win as he’s been knocking on the door for a while. He loved the ground and will jump a fence as well. “He’s a grand straight forward horse and delighted he’s won for John Place and Pauline who are local from Rathcoole. He’s a homebred and John is in for the long haul with a couple of that family.” Additional reporting by Alan Magee.
