King Vuvuzela on his way to beating Black Benny and Friendly Society at Punchestown© Photo Healy Racing
< Captain Arceus underlined his progressive profile when landing the first leg of a Bryan Cooper brace in the Follow Us On Twitter And Facebook Hurdle at Punchestown.
It wasn't plain sailing for Dessie Hughes' charge, though, with Ruby Walsh looking to have the 1-2 favourite in a spot of bother, remaining motionless on Un Beau Roman in front.
But just like at Listowel two starts ago, Un Beau Roman flattered to deceive and a slow jump late on opened the door for the market leader to double his tally for the campaign with a half-length success.
Cooper landed his second of the afternoon when producing King Vuvuzela (7-2) with a well-timed challenge to win the Festival Earlybird Deals On punchestown.com Handicap Chase by four and three-quarter lengths.
It might well have been a hat-trick for Cooper had Rogue Angel not fallen at the last in the Panoramic Restaurant 49 Euro Raceday Hospitality Beginners Chase.
It certainly made life easier for Bonisland (8-13), wearing the same Gigginstown House Stud colours, who was eased down to score by a distance.
That was also Davy Russell's second victory of the afternoon, having registered with King Of Oriel (4-1) in the Join The Punchestown Newsletter For Best Offers Handicap Hurdle.< Apache Stronghold who was third in the Punchestown Champion INH Flat Race last season, had to battle for a narrow victory, landing a short-head success at 5-4 in the 10 Euro Admission All Non Festival Racedays Maiden Hurdle.
Walsh was to be denied again in second on Clonard Lad in what proved to be a fruitless afternoon.
Clonard Lad's trainer Willie Mullins wasn't to leave empty-handed, though, and looks to have another useful type to go to war with after Shesafoxylady ran out a comfortable five-length winner of the www.punchestown.com For Raceday Offers Mares INH Flat Race at 9-10.
Short-price followers were not so lucky in the Go Racing In Kildare 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle when odds-on favourite Clarcam was undone by Orgilgo Bay (2-1) on his first start over hurdles.
