Favourites ruled the roost as Lossiemouth trounced competition 

Day one of Punchestown Racecourse’s meeting over the weekend showcased the accuracy of the betting markets that day as six of the afternoon’s eight races were won by favourites. Trainer Gordon Elliott celebrated a quartet of winners, while Willie Mullins had a double, which included the Grade One Morgiana Hurdle.

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

Market leaders were off to a good start in the first, a three-year-olds’ maiden hurdle (11.30). Jessica Harrington’s Quinta Do Lago justified his top price of 6/5 under Donagh Meyler, having led the field most of the way round the two-mile trip, and rallied in the face of a challenge from Ole Ole in the closing stages to win by a length.

Favourites remained in business in the next, a two and a half mile maiden hurdle (12.00). Here, Gordon Elliott’s Santo Sospir brought in the first leg of the trainer’s quadruple, priced 11/8, having been prominent throughout and, despite being challenged by Barley Lane on the run-in, kept on well enough to win by a length under Jack Kennedy.

The market predicted the winner of race three, a beginners’ chase (12.32), correctly too, as Willie Mullins’ Kitzbuhel made a very good chasing debut under Paul Townend to win by over a length at 8/15. Behind him was stablemate Kaid d’Authie, who outran his odds of 7/1 ridden by Simon Torrens. Gordon Elliott’s The Enabler was third at 14/1.

Success again followed for the favourite in race four, the Grade Two Florida Pearl Novice Chase (1.05). Connor King’s charge Oscars Brother was the main fancy at 7/4 and he jumped well to remain prominent all the way through the race, eventually crossing the line three lengths ahead of runner-up Koktail Divin.

The result of the fifth race, a two and a quarter mile handicap chase (1.40) was something of a surprise. Gordon Elliott’s 12/1 shot Dee Capo had raced in the midfield throughout but, when asked for effort by Jack Kennedy, he went clear after the final fence and finished over four lengths ahead of Willie Mullins’ High Class Hero.

Next was the Grade One Morgiana Hurdle (2.10). With Willie Mullins’ top-class mare Lossiemouth heading the betting at 1/5, it was never in doubt that she would win when the flag went down. With only three rivals to contend with, the shortest priced of which was stablemate Irancy at 5/1, the mare made all under Paul Townend to win in emphatic style by 19 lengths. It was 28/1 outsider Glen Kiln who was the runner-up, however.

In the penultimate race, a two and a half mile handicap hurdle (2.45), Gordon Elliott brought in another winner for the afternoon, courtesy of Son Of Anarchy. The JP McManus-owned gelding was the owner’s second string, with Sticwiththeprocess being the focal horse at 5/2F, but the eventual winner went clear after the last hurdle to win readily under Jack Kennedy, with Mullins’ Rakki in second, chased by the favourite in third.

The final race of the day was a bumper (3.20). Gordon Elliott saw his fourth and final win of the day here, as Ballyfad - the 10/11 market leader - won under a seven-pound claiming rider by half a length. Next was Rojuco Mac, with 33/1 shot Tountinna outrunning her odds back in third.

Punchestown results - Saturday:

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

11.30 - Quinta Do Lago (6/5F) 

12.00 - Santo Sospir (11/8F) 

12.32 - Kitzbuhel (8/15F) 

1.05 - Oscars Brother (7/4F) 

1.40 - Dee Capo (12/1) 

2.10 - Lossiemouth (1/5F) 

2.45 - Son Of Anarchy (7/1) 

3.20 - Ballyfad (10/11F)