Sackville only third on return Sackville remains 10-1 second favourite for next year`s Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup despite a comprehensive defeat on his first run for 166 days at Punchestown this afternoon.Zayta turned the four-runner Dunstown Wood Chase into a one-horse affair as the bottom weight sprinted into a clear lead which she maintained throughout the two-mile trip in the hands of Paul Maloney.The French-bred mare in the colours of Rolling Stone guitarist Ronnie Wood had refused to jump off last week at Gowran Park behind Puget Blue, but was on her best behaviour this time as she profited from Maloney`s trailblazing tactics.'I thought if she jumped off she had a chance as she was pretty fit. She jumped to the left, but we may take her next to Down Royal for a similar event,' said winning trainer Jessica Harrington.Sackville was the 11-10 favourite to win his ninth race in a row, but looked in need of the run over today`s inadequate trip.'Our horse may need another run in a similar race to bring him on as he does little enough at home,' said the eight-year-old`s trainer Frances Crowley.Zayta`s forcing tactics saw Sackville make a couple of awkward jumps in the back straight as first Alcapone and then Grimes went in pursuit.Before the last bend the 10-1 winner was still galloping clear of the other trio, now headed by Grimes, and although jumping left at the last two fences Zayta came home 12 lengths clear of Grimes with Sackville a further three and a half lengths away in third.
