Doubles for Brassil and Mullins

Day two of the weekend’s meeting at Punchestown Racecourse yielded more success for champion trainer Willie Mullins, who had celebrated victory in the Morgiana Hurdle on day one, as he picked up two more Graded wins together with stable jockey Paul Townend. Martin Brassil also brought home two winners from Punchestown on Sunday, as one of his runners also placed in the Grade One Punchestown Chase.

Read on for a full report of the Punchestown card, courtesy of Boyle Sports, who provide all the latest Leopardstown betting.

Race one on Sunday, a three-mile chase (11.43), brought in the first success for Martin Brassil, whose previous Kerry National winner, Desertmore House, got back to winning ways under Rules, ridden by Ricky Doyle. Having been last seen winning a point-to-point, the gelding travelled strongly and went clear after the second last fence, winning four lengths ahead of Gordon Elliott’s 9/4 favourite, The Goffer, in second place.

Race two, a two and three quarter mile maiden hurdle (12.13), brought in a surprising result as 14/1 shot Champagne Kid, ridden by Eoghain Finegan, won a duel between himself and 25/1 outsider Court Compliance, beating the runner-up by half a length. The favourite, Green Slendour, finished a distant sixth.

Next was a novice handicap hurdle (12.43). We had joint favourites here; Kotiko Bello and Joueur Masque, both at 7/2 in what was an open race. It was the former, though, who made all under Calum Hogan to keep his lead, despite a challenge from County Final, to win by a length and a half.

The fourth race was a Listed mares’ hurdle (1.17). Willie Mullins’ Fun Fun Fun was the hot favourite at 5/6, leading the field, but she was overtaken approaching the last flight and weakened, allowing Mozzies Sister and Feet Of A Dancer to come to the fore. The latter was going strongly and went nine lengths clear to win under Sean O’Keeffe.

Race five was a three-mile handicap hurdle (1.52). This was a competitive race for which the JP McManus-owned Intent Approach, trained by Charlie Byrnes, was the favourite at 2/1. The gelding tired towards the end of the race, however, with Gordon Elliott’s Staffordshire Knot keeping on well under five-pound claimer Carl Millar to win by over five lengths to the runner-up, Millstream Lady.

The afternoon’s first Graded race, the Grade Two Craddockstown Novice Chase (2.27) brought Willie Mullins’ first victory of the day with Westport Cove at 9/4. The Paul Townend-ridden gelding was keen and made a mistake at the second last, but rallied towards the finish to win by a neck to the favourite; Fleur In The Park, who was followed by Qualimita.

Next was the Grade One John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase (3.00). With a wealth of top-quality runners, this was a hot race, but Fact To File was the 11/8 favourite under Mark Walsh. He and the second favourite, stablemate Gaelic Warrior, went clear of the rest by nearly 30 lengths, finishing with just a neck between them, but it was Gaelic Warrior who won the battle home.

The last race of the day was a bumper (3.35). Martin Brassil brought home his double here, with 11/8 market leader It’s Only A Game making steady progress towards the end of the race to win by over three lengths, followed home by 12/1 shot Boycetown and 4/1 shot Treasure Memory.

Punchestown results - Sunday:

Results via Racing TV, who provide all the latest free bet offers.

11.43 - Desertmore House (3/1) 

12.13 - Champagne Kid (14/1) 

12.43 - Kotiko Bello (7/2J) 

1.17 - Feet Of A Dancer (7/2) 

1.52 - Staffordshire Knot (11/2) 

2.27 - Westport Cove (9/4) 

3.00 - Gaelic Warrior (13/8) 

3.35 - It’s Only A Game (11/8F) ᐧ