Eagle Fang© Photo Healy Racing
Eagle Fang in the colours of Bill Durkan, sprang a 22/1 surprise in the Uniquely Novice Hurdle.
Paul Townend was going for a quick treble after his Grade One wins on State Man and Ballyburn and all was going to plan for him aboard strong-travelling 11/8 favourite Anotherway on the run down to the last.
The market leader looked to be holding his pursuers, Eagle Fang and Ataboycharlie at that stage but was a bit awkward at that final flight and found little on the run-in.
Eagle Fang, under Oakley Brown, swept to the front close home to beat Ataboycharlie by half a length with Anotherway dropping to third near the line.
It was a first winner since returning from some time away from the sport for English rider Brown who is based with Joseph O'Brien.
Eagle Fang, a winner at Naas in January, had disappointed in the Fred Winter at Cheltenham but became the third Punchestown festival winner to have come out of that four-year-old handicap following Harsh and Pigeon House earlier in the week.
Townend finished the day on 119 winners, four adrift of Kennedy who drew a blank and is suspended for the final day of the season tomorrow.
Townend has five rides tomorrow so it is very much advantage Kennedy who looks set to be crowned champion jockey for the first time.
Assistant trainer Gary Bannon said: "We were very disappointed in Cheltenham. We don't know what was wrong with him, we checked him out when we got home and we just put it down to maybe being in a big field for the first time.
“We came back with this plan and I was coming here with big hopes, thinking he'd run a big race. I thought he was overpriced.
“It's great for Bill, Liam, Danny and Neill. They back me 100 percent and really put a lot into it. They trust me and it's not easy trusting a young fella to do the yard so I have to thank them.
“I bought the horse myself for them and it's been unbelievable.
“We'll put him away now for the season and hopefully next year he'll step up in trip, over three miles we'll see a better horse.
“Of course everyone wants a winner at the Punchestown festival. We went to Cheltenham dreaming and we've come back here and got one.
“I know the boss loves Galway as well but this lad will have to go to the field for a while.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
