Awake a poignant winner at Punchestown for Edward O'Grady
The West's Awake was a poignant winner of the two-and-a-half-mile novice chase at Punchestown.
The John Magnier-owned six-year-old is trained by Edward O'Grady, whose wife Maria was tragically killed in a riding accident last Saturday.
The West's Awake, who had won two of his previous three starts over fences, was a 16-1 shot to add his tally and while he was on the back foot rounding the home turn, he finished strongly after the final fence to claim victory in the hands of Andrew Lynch.
O'Grady was not present, but his charge received a warm reception in the winner's enclosure.
Lynch said: "I was talking to Mr O'Grady the other day and he said, 'Carry on, and hopefully he might bring us a bit of luck'.
"He's done it well and Mr O'Grady wasn't sure whether he would handle the ground or not but he picked up well.
"It's great that he's won and hopefully that will give him (O'Grady) a bit of a lift."
Bon Papa made an encouraging start to his career over fences with a wide-margin success in the two-mile beginners' chase.
The JP McManus-owned six-year-old (5-2) jumped well on the whole under Barry Geraghty on his way to an 11-length victory over Light That.
Avenir D'Une Vie travelled well in front but fell in the back straight.
Mullins, who also won the concluding bumper with 11-8 favourite Bang Bang Rosie, said of Bon Papa: "We capitalised on the fall of Avenir D'Une Vie.
"He (Bon Papa) jumped well and he wants further. The further he was going the better he was going, so we'll probably up him in trip the next time he runs.
"He could go for the race at Limerick (Grade Two Greenmount Park Novice Chase)."
Bon Papa completed a double on the card for McManus and Geraghty following the earlier victory of the Gavin Cromwell-trained Spades Are Trumps (10-1) in the two-mile maiden hurdle.
Minella Fair then justified 7-4 favouritism for Noel Meade in the maiden hurdle over two and three-quarter miles.
Derrinross made a real race of it after the final flight, but Jonathan Moore's mount clung on by half a length.
Meade said: "He stays well and loves soft ground. It couldn't be soft enough for him.
"He's a chaser really but we'll carry on over hurdles for the moment."
Hereford review
Stepover stuck to her task well to get the better of Apache Song in the ABF The Soldiers Charity Mares' Handicap Hurdle at Hereford.
These two had the five-runner feature to themselves over the last two flights and it was Alex Hales' charge who showed the better turn of foot for Kielan Woods to get the verdict by two lengths.
Hales said of his 3-1 winner: "I'm delighted. It was very good win.
"She'd gone close in her previous two races and it was very good of Hereford to put on a nice prize for mares.
"The quicker ground suits her, so I was chuffed to bits.
"It was nice, good ground and she does want the better ground, so we'll see what we can find I in the next couple of weeks, but as the winter goes on she'll have to have a holiday."
High Counsel (100-30) opened his account over fences with a gutsy success in the Level Peaks Associates Handicap Chase.
Gary Hanmer's eight-year-old had failed in 11 previous attempts but came good off his light weight in the hands of 5lb claiming amateur rider Alex Edwards.
Leading four out, High Counsel was all out to hold Shinooki by half a length.
Burrenbridge Hotel (10-1) staged a late rally under Tom O'Brien that saw him storm past Sage Monkey in the last 100 yards to take the Major Philip Verdin Memorial Novices' Handicap Chase by a length and three-quarters for trainer Henry Oliver.
Court Liability (8-11 favourite) made it three from three under Rules when asserting on the run to the line in the KBIS British Equestrian Insurance Novices' Hurdle.
Trainer Jane Mathias enjoyed a rare winner when Definately Vinnie (25-1) got off the mark at the 14th attempt when holding The Last But One by four lengths in the Lower Hope Farms Maiden Hurdle under 3lb claimer Conor Ring.
John O'Shea's Cougar Kid (15-2) bounded clear under 5lb claimer Brodie Hampson after hitting the front between the last two flights to land the Brecon Carreg ROA/Racing Post Owners Jackpot Handicap Hurdle by seven lengths from Schnabel.
Peculiar Places (10-11 favourite) made a successful debut in the bumper for Warren Greatrex after he was bought by Highclere Thoroughbred Racing for £100,000 in the summer.
Related horse racing links
Next Off
Most Followed
MOST READ RACING
