Punchestown review & replays | Leader d’Allier cut for Supreme

The French recruit Leader d’Allier was second behind Ballyfad on his stable debut at Leopardstown over Christmas but had no rival of that class to worry about in the opening Matchbook 50:50 Graduation Series Maiden Hurdle.

Positively ridden by Paul Townend, the son of Cokoriko jumped well out on the lead and though chased by Straight John before the turn for home, it was clear that he was going easily the best before a couple of good jumps at the closing obstacles sealed a nine-length success for the 1/ 4 favourite.

Laxxio was a further 12 lengths back in third.

The winner, who had the tongue-tie that he wore in France back on here, has three entries at the Cheltenham Festival ranging from two to three miles; he was cut to a general 20/1 (from 40s) for the opening race of the meeting.

Winning jockey Paul Townend told Racing TV: “He had good bumper form in France, so we were a bit disappointed first time out, but he seemed to step forward there – the yard’s horses are coming forward from Christmas.

“He jumped brilliantly the whole way there, and when we were quickening before the last I just didnt want to put him on the deck, but he worked that out and got away well.

“He’s clever and brave.”

Gigginstown 1-2 as Blue Velvet breaks her maiden tag

Sent off the 8/11 favourite, last season;s Champion Bumper seventh Blue Velvet completed a quick double on the card for trainer Mullins and jockey Townend, though she had to work hard for the one and three-quarter length victory with the fellow Gigginstown House Stud-owned Torpille Dagrostis not going down without a fight under Jack Kennedy.

Shadys Lady made most of the running but the writing was on the wall before the turn for home, with the first two, along with the well-fancied Miss Doyenne all travelling powerfully.

However, a poor jump at the second-last knocked the momentum of Miss Doyenne, who had no answers as the first two moved clear. She was well-held in the end, some 21 lengths behind runner-up Torpille Dagrostis.

Armchair ride for Donoghue as The Passing Wife impresses

It was back to front-running tactics for Townend 30 minutes later, but to no avail as Doctor Du Mesnil had no answers to The Passing Wife who made short work of his three rivals in the Matchbook 50:50 Graduation Series (C & G) Maiden Hurdle.

Teaming up with Mullins once more, Townend’s partner was nimble at his obstacles as he put the experience of his debut second at Leopardsown to good use out in front, however it was clear that The Passing Wife was moving very menacingly under Keith Donoghue on his outer turning for home.

A fast, fluent leap from the Gavin Cromwell-trained seven-year-old sealed the victory, with his jockey sitting pretty as the pair crossed the line at odds of 2/1.

The success paid a compliment to Koktail Brut, who beat The Passing Wife at Fairyhouse in late-November, as well as the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle won by Skylight Hustle last month in which The Passing Wife was only fifth.

The Passing Wife doesn't have any entries for the graded novices' hurdles at the Cheltenham Festival, but is now qualified for handicaps at the meeting as this was his sixth run over hurdles; he was cut to 16/1 for the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle on the back of this win.

Winning jockey Keith Donoghue told Racing TV: “He did it well - on form he deserved to do it - and it was good to see him get his form back after disappointing the last time.

“We were talking about the form being good; hopefully he can have a big day in the spring like those who have beaten him

“We thought we'd force him a bit more as he came home so well in the royal bond, maybe we should have gone to the lawlors.

“We were hoping he’d put it up to him [Doctor Du Mesnil] – we weren’t shocked by it.

“He won bumpers on good ground, so he’s versatile. He’s very quick, doesn't waste any time in the air, and he’s a nice horse to have. I’d say that’s his sort of trip.

“That was his sixth run so he is now qualified for handicaps. I probably won by a bit too far, I should have done it by half a length on the bridle but I haven’t had one win that easily for a while!”

Back-to-back wins for Elliott runner

Fairyhouse winner Spinning A Yarn continued his good form when turning the tables on his Clonmel conqueror Parnell Street in the Matchbook Betting Exchange Rated Novice Hurdle.

Jack Kennedy made most of the running on the Gordon Elliott-trained six-year-old who showed the best turn of foot from the home bend to easily see off what had become a packing field. The distance back to runner-up Parnell Street was six and a half lengths, with the winner sent off at 2/1.

The disappointment of the field was the 7/4 favourite I’m Slippy who struggled to get competitive having been held up under Philip Enright. He found little for pressure and finished last of five.

More from Sporting Life

• Free bets
• Racecards
• Fast results
• Full results and free video replays
• Horse racing news
• Horse racing tips
• Horse racing features
• Download our free iOS and Android app
• Football and other sports tips
• Podcasts and video content

Safer gambling

We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.

If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.

Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.