Punchestown kicked off their five-day jumping extravaganza on Tuesday where the first three of a total of twelve Grade 1 contests were run. Yorkhill (Ire) (Presenting {GB}), chasing a Grade 1 four timer following impressive displays at Sandown, Cheltenham and Aintree was widely expected to add to his tally in the G1 Herald Champion Novice Hurdle but he didn't reproduce his best form, eventually finishing a tired fourth behind the Jessica Harrington trained winner Don't Touch It (Ire) (Scorpion {Ire}). JP McManus' 6-year-old took over from Brain Power (Ire) (Kalanisi {Ire}) running to the last and had enough in hand to repel the gallant Petit Mouchoir (Fr) Al Mamix {Fr}) by half a length.
There was another reverse for both odds-on punters and the Willie Mullins yard when his Vautour (Fr) (Robin Des Champs {Fr}) was beaten into second by God's Own (Ire) (Oscar {Ire}) in the G1 Boylesports Champion Chase. The Tom George trained winner was following up his Grade 1 victory in Aintree's JLT Melling Chase and he was also confirming his liking for Punchestown having landed a Grade 1 Novice chase there two years ago. Vautour ran like he needed a longer trip, getting outpaced between the last two fences before staying on again late to snatch second spot from Simonsig (GB) (Fair Mix {Ire}) who ran a terrific race after a long absence. It was a sweet win for jockey Paddy Brennan who commented, “He was awesome tody. It's great to ride a winner on home turf, I'm from here and very proud.”
The third Grade 1 of the evening was the Growise Champion Novice Chase and it saw a quick reappearance of G3 Crabbies Grand National hero Rule The World (GB) (Sulamani {Ire}). There was no fairytale follow up though as finished sixth though running well for a long way. The race was won in good style by Zabana (Ire) (Halling) who gained compensation for an unfortunate incident at Cheltenham where he unseated Davy Russell at the start of the G1 JLT Novice Chase. He made no mistake on this occasion staying on stoutly to beat the Gigginstown Stud owned pair of Outlander (Ire) (Stowaway {GB}) and Sub Lieutenant (Ire) (Brian Boru {GB}). It was a first Grade 1 victory for veteran trainer Andy Lynch who trains the 7-year-old for Chris Jones.
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