Kieran Kelly captured the riding honours and in the process achieved a notable career milestone when he completed his first treble at Punchestown this afternoon. Mutineer set the ball rolling for the twenty-four-year-old when he followed up on his recent Leopardstown success over hurdles after staying on gamely to hold a gallant Kenilworth in the juvenile hurdle.
The grey is among the entries for the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham next month with Cashmans cutting the Dessie Hughes-trained gelding to 50/1 from 66's for the Cotswolds juvenile crown. Easy-to-back Smuggler's Song (2/1 4/1), making his hurdling debut for new trainer Christy Roche, raced towards the rear throughout under Charlie Swan and not helped by several mistakes finished a disappointing sixth.
Well supported Harchibald (5/2-7/4f) was another disappointment weakening before the last when beaten to finish only seventh in the hands Paul Carberry. The Hughes/Kelly alliance combined again later in the handicap chase when What's The Score, bred by his owner Mark O'Connor, stayed on dourly in the straight to repel the challenge of Shady Lad.
Kieran Kelly rounded off a tremendous afternoon when partnering Berkley to score for Michael Cullen in the maiden hurdle. Tommy Treacy was stood down for 24 hours after suffering bruising to his left elbow when his mount Rud Cinnte crashed out at the third last.
James McMahon
