A review of the rest of Sunday's action from Punchestown as Heaven Help Us landed a nice pot in the opening race.
Heaven takes Mares' prize
Heaven Help Us provided trainer Paul Hennessy and young jockey Richard Condon with the biggest success of their careers in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Paddy Mullins Mares Handicap Hurdle.
The seven-year-old found herself back over timber after a relatively unsuccessful spell over fences and she looked much more at home.
Condon took a lead into the straight off Razzle Dazzle Love, before kicking off the bend and seemingly putting the race to bed.
However, the 16/1 chance slowed into the final flight and lost some momentum, giving JJ Slevin a squeak on Global Equity, but Heaven Help Us held on by a neck.
“It’s a great thrill to win Paddy’s race. We were neighbours and when I was a young lad he would often bring me to the races and make sure I got home as well,” said Hennessy, who is also a successful greyhound trainer.
“I’m ecstatic. You look at the strength of that race. I just thought she wasn’t mad about the fences, but she was second in a Grade One (over hurdles last season).
“I thought we’d switch back to hurdles and it worked out.
“Danny (Mullins) wasn’t available because Willie wanted him, but Richie came in and rode her out for me. I told him he could ride her and he took 7lb off.
“It’s great for us and for her. She won at Cheltenham for us and was second in a Grade One – she’s magic.
“She might go for a Pertemps Qualifier at Punchestown to try to get her into Cheltenham. I’d love to have a runner at the Festival.”
Go, go, go!
The Charles Byrnes-trained Off You Go (10/1) won at the meeting for a third time in the Gaelic Plant Hire Leopardstown Chase after two wins over hurdles previously.
Byrnes is currently allowed runners as he has appealed against a six-month ban handed out following the Viking Hoard case.
“That’s his third win here and Mark was brilliant on him. We thought he would run well at Limerick over Christmas, but he just can’t jump out of the heavy ground,” said Byrnes.
Of the Viking Hoard case, he added: “I can’t say much with the appeal on Tuesday evening.
"It’s very upsetting for my family and racing in general and we have to let the case run its course.”
