Darragh O’Keeffe completed a quickfire double on the day as Busselton landed the Mongey Communications La Touche Cup Cross Country Chase, the longest race on the Irish racing calendar at 4m1f, for the second successive year at Punchestown.

O’Keeffe narrowed the gap to four (102-98) behind Jack Kennedy in the jump jockeys’ championship as the Enda Bolger-trained gelding asserted after the penultimate fence before holding on in the closing stages by three-quarters of a length. Outside The Door took the runner-up spot with The Goffer just half a length further back in third.

Bolger, who took over training the winner from Joseph O’Brien earlier this year, said: “I thought the winning post would never come but what a great ride and a lovely little horse.

“It was a typical La Touche, it had a bit of everything. As I’ve said beforehand Joseph and his team had everything done with this horse.

“We didn’t have to do any schooling only do some little different things and take him to different places.

“If you gave me money to go out and buy a La Touche winner Busselton wouldn’t be the horse. He’s only about 15-3. Darragh sits into him so well and they are a great combination.

“He’s a great little horse, very sound, and everyone at home loves him.

“The good ground helps those horses (Flat-bred) get the trip. You won’t be seeing him in the height of winter.

“We may go to Killarney now for the long-distance chase there and try and do it all again next year.

“I think there is still more in him, he’s still only nine.”

O’Keeffe said, “Delighted to ride a winner for Enda. He’s been massive in my career. I started out with him and he’s an absolute genius with these horses.

“I winged the second last and got left alone in front but he kind of parked going to the last. As soon as he heard the other horses coming, he battled back again.

“Enda said to me a while ago this lad would win the La Touche, so it’s brilliant.”

Quotes by Gary Carson