A review of the rest of the action from Punchestown on Monday as Itswhatunitesus won the opening novice hurdle.
Elliott charge defies penalty
The Gordon Elliott-trained Itswhatunitesus successfully conceded weight all round in the opening Jim Ryan Racecourse Services Rated Novice Hurdle.
The five-year-old was a maiden winner at Cork in November under the recently retired Davy Russell and, sent off at 5/4, duly followed up in the hands of stable jockey Jack Kennedy.
Kennedy kept things simple on the sizeable winner, making the running at a sensible gallop before quickening the tempo with a couple of flights to take.
He'd opened up a three-length lead over market rival Carnfunnock (even-money fav) - who was receiving 9lb - by the last and stayed on strongly to win well.
The sponsors make Itswhatunitesus 25/1 from 40/1 for the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.
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“It was a good performance and I thought Jack gave him a great ride. He got to steady it in front and dictated it well. He said the further he went the better he jumped,” said Elliott.
“He’s in all the Graded races, but I’d imagine we’ll keep it small if we can. Before the race I didn’t think he’d be staying at two miles, but I’m not sure now. I’d say he’ll get two and a half.”
Rest of the action
The rest of Monday's card was dominated by Willie Mullins and Paul Townend who not only won the feature John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase with Galopin Des Champs and the Beginners Chase courtesy of Appreciate It, but were also on target with Saylavee in the Free Entry On NYE Mares Novice Hurdle.
The 5/2 shot took the Listed contest by two and a half lengths from Bella Scintilla, with odds-on favourite Harmonya Maker only third for Elliott and Kennedy.
“She (Saylavee) disappointed in the north but has shown nice improvement and it’s nice to get some black type for her,” said Mullins.
“Paul was very good on her and he ploughed his own furrow. He said she was a little dead going down to the start and in the early part of the race and he felt that she didn’t like being with horses.
“He pulled her wide and she came alive. Some horses don’t like muck coming back in their face and she may be one like that. He kept her wide and it seemed to work.
“We’ll give her another spin or two and she’s improving all the time.”
He added: “We got her from Aidan Fitzgerald. He said she was a good strong filly and he was right.”
Champion trainer Mullins had to settle for second and third with Captain Cody (7/1) and Blizzard Of Oz (1/2 fav) respectively as Slade Steel won the concluding Irish Stallion Farms EBF Auction (Pro/Am) Flat Race.
Trained by Henry De Bromhead and ridden by John Gleeson, the Robour-owned four-year-old showed a good turn of foot to make a winning debut at odds of 7/2.
Robbie Power, representing De Bromhead, said: “He won a point-to-point last year and we really liked him since he came. He does everything nice and has plenty of pace.
“We’ll have to talk to Robcour (owners) and see if they want to go for the Cheltenham bumper with him. There is also the bumper here at the Festival so there are lots of options.
“John said he was very green and ran in snatches in places. He said he’ll improve a lot from it. He’s a nice horse to look forward to."
Liz Doyle's Old Soul won the Old House, Kill Handicap Hurdle at 22/1, while the See You For Free On NYE Handicap Chase went to 13/2 shot Sir Bob.
Doyle said: “He was clinically abnormal here the last day – that’s why he was 22/1. He probably should have been about 7/1 and was entitled to win that if you scratched out his last run.”
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