PUNCHESTOWN hosted a two-day card last week as the home of Irish jump racing heralded its new National Hunt season. The best of the action and performances against the clock were on the Wednesday.

The Grade 3 chases formed the centre piece of the card with both winners, Embittered (142) and Galvin (140) signalling they are set for a good season.

Embittered posted the best data combining the fastest overall time when adjusted for distance with only a marginally slower closing sectional, while Galvin’s finishing effort after three miles was creditable.

The early exchanges in both races were similar, as Brahma Bull (137) and Annamix (139) set a reasonably strong pace for three miles.

However, as the races headed out on their final circuit the combination of Bryan Cooper quickening the pace aboard Embittered and the slackening of the pace in the other race saw the novice chase produce the faster overall time.

However, once the gap was established it grew no further and in fact Galvin finished fastest from the fifth last fence stopping the clock at 61.7 compared to Embittered who closed off in 62.0 seconds.

The opening novice hurdle was won in style by My Mate Mozzie (110+) and, although the overall time was slow, the closing sectional of 92.7 seconds was the best on the day illustrating why Gavin Cromwell’s gelding had out-speeded the talented, if quirky, 106 flat-rated Barbados.

The comparable finishing efforts over hurdle races were Romella (107) 94.8, Mighty Meggsie (114) 95.0 and Aldo The Apache (119) 95.3 seconds.

Despite his closing sectional being the slowest, Aldo The Apache can be upgraded as he won with plenty in hand in a more than respectable time-figure.