Rest of card

THE older the banjo, the sweeter the tune. It would hardly be the Punchestown Festival without at least one banks-race appearance from Singing Banjo - the popular standing-dish who served up a smashing performance to win his second Mongey Communications La Touche Cup win in four years for Barry Walsh.

At the age of 14, the 28/1 shot turned up in resolute form to see off fellow banks regular Three By Two by three quarters of a length in the colours of John Walsh.

The result continued the theme of older horses coming to the fore in this unique test, with Ballyboker Bridge having claimed the prize as a 15-year-old in 2022, and the other three most recent winners all aged 11 or older.

“He loves the banks,” beamed Barry Walsh. “We aim him for the banks the whole time but the ground was against him all season - he wants good ground.

“He just stays galloping and is quick over the fences. We’d be hoping to get another season out of him for the cross-country, maybe at Cheltenham if the ground comes up good.”

Elliott hat-trick

As well as capturing the feature with Teahupoo, Gordon Elliott made his presence felt with two big-priced winners elsewhere on the card to deliver a 1,009/1 treble.

Carl Millar was seen to good effect on the Pat Rabbitt-owned Maxxum (28/1) in the Listed Conway Piling Handicap Hurdle, which was remarkably the 7lb claimer’s sixth major handicap success of the season.

“Carl seems to only win big-money handicaps!” quipped Elliott.

“He’s a great fella, he’s working full-time in the yard and he deserves every bit of success he’s getting. He doesn’t do anything wrong and keeps it very simple.

“This horse was running a great race the last day at Fairyhouse [behind Brewin’upastorm] and took a false step after the second last and fell. We came here fresh today, took a chance, and it worked out great.”

Top prospect

The concluding JP & M Doyle Bumper turned out to be a spectacular piece of form last year, with the one-two-three of Ballyburn, Dancing City and Slade Steel all going on to win at Grade 1 level this term.

There were plenty of big reputations heading into the 2024 renewal but Elliott and Bective Stud’s Wingmen produced a sizzling display from the front to cause an 18/1 upset.

Some of the leading fancies, including Port Joulain (Willie Mullins), Samyr (Joseph O’Brien) and Goldinthemountains (Martin Brassil), failed to build on the promise of their previous bumper wins, but the winner created a fine impression as he provided Harry Swan with his 50th career winner.

“We think he’s a proper horse,” Elliott said after the length-and-a-quarter win.

“It just didn’t work out the last day when third in a bumper at Naas but he’s a very good horse. He’s a very quick horse but he’ll definitely stay further anyway.”

British success

The visitors might have been just touched off in the bumper when Queensbury Boy finished a fine second for David Maxwell and Harry Derham, but the British contingent did not leave empty handed on day three.

Sam and Nigel Twiston-Davies combined to plunder the Listed Close Brothers Mares Novice Hurdle with the plucky Casa No Mento, who justified strong market support at 4/1 (from a morning price of 12/1).

The TS Equine-owned mare showed a good attitude to get the better of Got Glory by a length and three quarters, with the pair drawing 12 lengths clear of the remainder.

Assistant trainer Willy Twiston-Davies said: “She’s exceptional, the only horse I’ve ever seen that can work with I Like To Move It. She’s three from four over hurdles and is the fastest filly we’ve ever had.

“I asked Patrick Mullins if it was worth bringing her over and he said she had every chance so a bit of the credit must go to him. I think she’ll be better again on faster ground. We’ll probably run her on the flat now too. It’s quite fun coming over here and beating you Irish!”

Pinkerton prevails

The tightest finish of the opening three days at the Punchestown Festival came in the Listed Frontline Security Handicap Chase, as Sam Ewing pulled out all the stops on Pinkerton to edge out Saint Roi by a short-head.

It was a bold call from Noel Meade to run the Philip Polly-owned 15/2 shot in this €50,000 pot just nine days on from winning a Tipperary beginners’ chase, and it reaped major dividends.

“He came out of last week’s race great,” said Meade.

“It’s great for the owners to win here, he’s been a super little horse for them. He’s tough and the jockey is very good, he’s very strong.

“This horse stays two miles very well and it was a burst of speed I had never felt off him before. He isn’t overly big but he jumps slick and likes plenty cover.”

House comes good

Nico de Boinville partnered his first winner for Jessica Harrington on just his second ride for the stable when Pigeon House provided another boost to Cheltenham’s Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle form by winning the Specialist Group Handicap Hurdle.

Representing the ownership combination of Joe O’Flaherty, Mark Phelan, Richie Galway and Harrington herself, the 16/1 shot was not winning out of turn as he got off the mark at the 17th attempt.

“Finally, he did it at the right time anyway!” said Harrington. “He’s been threatening to do that all winter. Nico gave him a great ride, and he dropped his stick after the last so he never even hit him. We’ll go to the flat with him now. Galway could be on our mind as well.”