ON the last day of jump racing before the Punchestown Festival, Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore combined for a double and the brace was completed by Baptism Of Fire in the two-and-three-quarter-mile beginners’ chase.

On his first outing since December, Baptism Of Fire (6/1) turned out in good shape and produced a nice effort on his second start over fences with his first having come behind Stattler at Fairyhouse.

The complexion of this race changed markedly in the closing stages as the favourite Chemical Energy folded tamely before the last having looked to be holding every chance.

Just as that one gave best, Baptism Of Fire was produced with a telling effort and he went on to defeat the former Grade 1 scorer Bacardys by two lengths. This gelding should enjoy a good summer over fences.

Amirite stays

The first leg of the double was achieved in emphatic fashion as Amirite, in the colours of Paddy Hale, crossed the line with some 30 lengths to spare in the maiden hurdle over two miles, three furlongs.

This six-year-old wasn’t at his best when last seen at Fairyhouse in January but his previous fourth to Journey With Me at Leopardstown was a very strong piece of form and he bounced back to that level under a forceful ride. The 5/6 favourite took over in front with three to jump and moved ever further clear to win as he liked.

“He’s a real staying type of horse so we didn’t want to let it turn into a sprint. Rachael said he was still very green so he’ll improve plenty. He likes goodish ground and we might have a look at a novice in May but I’d imagine we will leave him off and bring him back for the early autumn,” reported the trainer.

Marvel rallies

The de Bromhead-trained Brave Way was an odds-on favourite for the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Beginners Chase over just short of two and a half miles and she looked to be in charge when striking for home well before the last.

However, after the final fence she was unable to withstand the rallying outsider Esthers Marvel (22/1) and the Ken Budds inmate surged to the front again close home to win by a length and a quarter.

Darragh O’Keeffe was on board the victorious daughter of Oscar who is owned by her breeder Kevin Galvin and this was her first win from 26 career starts.

“She jumped very well. She’s a way better mare over fences. I thought it might be a bit short for her but they went quick enough. That ground suits her and she’s a tough mare so hopefully she’ll get another one,” reported Budds.

JOHN Ryan’s landmark season reached a new high in the opener as the unconsidered 50/1 shot Hope Des Blins bagged the two-mile maiden hurdle to make it 39 winners for the campaign for the trainer.

This five-year-old was running for the first time since contesting a Stratford bumper last May and showed that she has a fair level of ability on her debut for the Ryan yard.

Danny Mullins sent her to the front on the run to the last and she was always maintaining a clear advantage over the 1/4 favourite Evergreen And Red who went down by just under three lengths.

“She’s the real deal and she jumps fences really well. I was tempted to run her over fences straight away,” reported Ryan whose cousin, Tom Meagher, owns the winner.

Gotthenod gets there

Tom Harney, who combines his role as headman for Ross O’Sullivan with being the trainer’s amateur rider, rode his first winner over hurdles on Gotthenod in the mares’ handicap hurdle over two and a half miles.

This gave Ross O’Sullivan with the 12th success of what has been his best National Hunt campaign to date and the 9/1 chance did so in clear-cut fashion as she defeated Glory For Molly by just under five lengths. The winner is owned by Tom Ward.

After scoring over hurdles at Cork last month, Sweet Will (5/1) successfully transitioned to fences in the 0-109 rated handicap over just short of two and a half miles.

The victorious five-year-old and Quantum Realm drew clear of the field from the second last and Sweet Will gradually got on top to prevail by three and a quarter lengths for Conor McNamara.

Gavin Cromwell trains the winner for the Out Of Bounds Syndicate and this gelding can climb the ranks further over the coming weeks.

Deo gracias

For the second evening in succession a winning owner partnered their own horse to victory as Neil Gault landed the three-mile handicap hurdle on Deo Bellator (25/1) to follow on from the victory of Simon Conlon the previous day.

Under the care of Antrim-based Michael Millar, this mare also gave Gault his initial success on the track at Clonmel last September and she was very brave here.

After leading some way from home, it appeared as though she might succumb to a rallying Miss Us O in the last few strides but she clung on bravely to carry the day by a head.