Punchestown Sunday review and replays

Elliott one-two in Grade 2 event

Touch Me Not ran out a commanding winner of the Grade 2 BetVictor Craddockstown Novice Chase.

Jumping boldly out in front under Sam Ewing, the Gordon Elliott-trained second-string was a joy to watch and while a loose horse briefly appeared to test his concentration running down the back straight, he was soon back on an even keel.

Better-fancied stablemate Farren Glory (Jack Kennedy) looked to be mounting a challenge two fences from the finish, but the winner kept pouring it on and, after another fine leap at the last, stayed on best to go one better than on chasing debut last month.

Farren Glory jumped well enough on his third start over fences but had to settle for second, finishing six lengths adrift of the 8/1 winner, with Nurburgring third at 3/1.

There was drama very early on as Fascile Mode – the horse who beat Touch Me Not a beginners’ event at the same venue 39 days ago - took a fall at the second fence, bringing down the well-backed Jordans in the process.

Paddy Power and Betfair clipped the winner to 40/1 from 66/1 for the Arkle Challenge Trophy at Cheltenham in March.

Ewing said on Racing TV: “I’m very thankful I was able to come here and ride him (after Cork was called off). I suppose that’s just the way he is, he goes out there and joys himself.

“He took me everywhere I wanted and picked up and won well. Gordon told me to jump off handy and I winged the first two.

“My lad gave a little look (at loose horse) but once I pulled my stick through he was locked on and ready for the next fence. I wouldn’t be surprised if he stepped up (in class) again.”

Rock gets rolling and can't be stopped

Franciscan Rock (12/1) held on to make a successful return to timber in the Pertemps Network Group Handicap Hurdle.

Trained by Mouse Morris and ridden by 5lb claimer Gavin Brouder, who enjoyed one of the biggest winners of his career on Stuzzikini in last weekend's Troytown at Navan, the seven-year-old hit the front two out and quickened on the turn for home.

Slanagaibhgoleir brief looked the danger at the last before his challenge flattened out on the run-in, and it was Philip Fenton's lightly-raced four-year-old Karl Des Tourelles (10/1) who laid down the strongest late bid, just coming up short as Franciscan Rock was kept up to his work to secure a guaranteed berth in the Final of the series at the Cheltenham Festival in the spring (provided he is within the weights at declaration stage).

Desertmore House (8/1) ran on nicely to be third under Jack Kennedy, with Slanagaibhgoleir ultimately finishing only fourth at 12/1 and 5/1 joint-favourite Great Universe back in fifth.

More Joy for in-form Mullins mare

Lot Of Joy and Paul Townend made every yard of the running to win the Frontline Security Grabel Mares Hurdle, leading home a Willie Mullins one-two, Risk Belle filling the runner-up spot.

Townend put 6/4 favourite Lot Of Joy's race-fitness to good use on the 6/4 favourite, soon building an early lead and jumping well throughout.

Feet Of A Dancer was the one who emerged from the pack to close up on the leader after taking the second-last flight of hurdles, but Lot Of Joy found another gear when challenged and pulled nicely clear to score by four lengths, with her stablemate running on to be second at 8/1 under Mark Walsh. Feet Of A Dancer (7/2) had to settle for third.

Mullins said: “I think she enjoyed being left alone in front and Paul was happy with her. She took her breathers and jumped better. She’s settling better.

“We didn’t think she would handle that sort of ground, but it’s good to know that she’s able to handle it and we can continue with her. We were half thinking of putting her away.

“She could go to Leopardstown, and I wouldn’t mind stepping up to two and a half. She has to improve a bit, but we’ll give her the opportunity.”

Both Betfair and Paddy Power introduced Lot Of Joy into their Cheltenham Festival Mares’ Hurdle market at 20/1.

Westerner revels in testing ground

The Big Westerner (4/1), ridden by Darragh O'Keeffe, made a successful start under Rules with a likeable performance in the INH Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle.

The Henry De Bromhead-trained mare - winner of a point-to-point in the spring - travelled well close to what looked only a reasonable gallop and after taking it up on the inside of the course on the turn for home, the winner jumped the last adequately and enough speed on the run-in to hold off Willie Mullins' hurdling newcomer Argento Boy (11/10 favourite) by a length.

There was a further nine lengths back to 28/1 chance Did I Ask You That back in third.

Paddy Power installed the winner at 33/1 for both the two and a half mile novices' hurdle (formerly the Gallagher's) and the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.

O'Keeffe said on Racing TV: "We were going steady but then when the McManus horse (Son Of Anarchy) went on we went a nice enough gallop. She obviously likes this ground but showed a bit of a turn of foot.

"She's a fine mare and hopefully she'll win plenty of races before going off to the breeding shed."

De Bromhead said: “She looks a nice mare, jumped great and travelled well. Darragh (O’Keeffe) was great on her and I’m delighted to get it for the Marigas, who are great supporters of ours.

“She picked up well after missing the last a bit. She’s still a bit green. I think she’ll handle festival ground, but she’ll go through the winter stuff. I hope so. She’s a big, scopey mare and hence the name, I suppose.

“We’ve some lovely young horses – we hoped we had coming into the season and felt we had bought well, but you never know. We’re happy where we are at the moment and we’ll try to maintain it."

Cheltenham trip planned for Stumptown

The opening Colm Quinn BWM Risk Of Thunder Chase went to Gavin Cromwell's Stumptown, the 3/1 shot making just about all of the running under Keith Donoghue and found generously late on to beat 33/1 chance Three By Two by two and three-quarter lengths, with Stealthy Tom (also 33s) staying on to be third.

Cromwell said: “He’s taken to it so well, he loves it. He’s careful enough over his fences in chases and you might think that he wouldn’t have the heart for it, but he’s taken to it really well.

“There is a race at Cheltenham in December and he’ll probably go there.

“I don’t know too much about it but Keith says the course is very different to here. We’ll be happy to get him over there at the next meeting and get him around it.”

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