Monaghan handler Oliver Brady brought Punchestown to life with another rendition of his now customary post race victory ritual after Kenilworth (1/1 8/11f) justified favouritism in the 4yo hurdle.
Up Monaghan, up Monaghan, bellowed the affable Brady to the assembled audience after the former John Oxx inmate, which finished runner-up to Party Airs in the Dennys, drew steadily clear in the straight to score. Monaghan might not have it in football but, by God, we can train winners, he roared, quickly followed by we're not scared of the big boys.
Kenilworth is currently a best price 33/1 with the layers for the Triumph Hurdle. Punters who supported even money favourite Native Jack in the beginners chase certainly had good fortune on their side. The contest looked set to go to Bassett Tiger, who was always holding 100/1 chance Mr Monty on the run to the last but the pair both fell independently handing the contest to Conor O'Dwyer's mount.
'We had a bit of luck there, summed up trainer Arthur Moore, who will run his charge again in a winners' race in three or four weeks time.
Ruby Walsh, rider of Bassett Tiger, enjoyed better luck earlier and in the process helped Commonchero to complete a profitable 5 days for his 16 strong owners headed by Kieran Grainger when he opened his account over timber.
Winner of a Tramore bumper on Tuesday, the IR£20,000 purchase forged to the front on the run down to the final flight and kept on well to defeat Baily Mist by 2L. Light-weight Aura About Him and Willie Slattery ran out the comfortable winner of the 2m handicap chase while in contrast Paul Nolan's Snowy Ford (Ian Power) conceded weight all round when taking the 2m4f handicap hurdle.
Paul Moloney enjoyed a welcome change of luck when steering Sandysaran (10/1-5/1f) to land a tidy gamble for Michael Butler in the 3m handicap hurdle while They Call Me Molly kept on under a strong drive to hold the persistent challenge of Site Alite in the finale.
Filed by James McMahon
