MAGIC McColgan justified favouritism in the two-mile, three-furlong Get Your Punchestown Festival 2025 Tickets Today Mares Maiden Hurdle, but not after giving punters a major fright in the closing stages.

Trained by Willie Mullins for Kenny Alexander, the 11/8 chance looked set for a convincing victory approaching the final flight, before jumping violently left and needed to be driven right out by Paul Townend to beat Miss Mini Bee by two and a half lengths.

“She didn’t do it (on her hurdle debut) in Cork, but she just got gradually worse going out to her left and hung and jumped left in the finish,” said Townend before adding, “I thought we went a good gallop and, being a Flemensfirth mare, she appreciated the slower ground and step up in trip.

“I’ll be keeping company with her in future! At least she’s won and did things relatively right up to that. She’s a fine mare and has a good jump in her.”

Mix it up

Castleheath (12/1) showed the benefit of his hurdle debut at Cork last month, when prominent throughout and keeping on strongly on the run-in for Eoin Walsh to beat Ephesus by five and a half lengths in the opening 50,000 BetVictor Graduation Bonus Series Maiden Hurdle.

“He’d a lovely first run over hurdles and has come forward nicely. He’s been doing it at home, but when he had no company in front, he was still a bit green. When he had company, he was much slicker in his jumping,” said trainer Ciaran Murphy.

“He’s won on the flat and he’s won over hurdles now and he’ll probably mix it between both as the season goes on. The owners are Niall and Cathal Slevin and their father Michael, who has been very sick and is watching at home, is a great supporter of mine.”

Back in form

Will The Wise, winner of a point-to-point and a bumper, put a number of disappointing runs behind him, when taking the other maiden hurdle on the card - the two-mile, six-furlong 50,000 BetVictor Graduation Bonus Series Maiden Hurdle.

The 5/2 shot took control before the last and Keith Donoghue could afford to ease down in the closing stages and still beat Custom Taylor by a length and a half.

“He was disappointing the last couple of days, and we couldn’t really put our finger on why. Keith said he was much happier everywhere today - he travelled, jumped and stayed going. Hopefully, we are back on track now,” said Gavin Cromwell, who trains the Well Chosen gelding for the Have No Clue Syndicate.

RAGMANS Corner was the easiest winner on the afternoon, when travelling well to lead after two out and cruising clear under Eoghan Finegan to beat Royal Time by an effortless 12 lengths in the John Thomas McNamara Series (Q.R.) Handicap Hurdle.

“He’s a grand little horse and is only learning how to race now really. He used to run on his nerves a lot and we’ll probably mix it with the flat now, if we can. We might give him a shot in Dundalk,” said Gerry Keane, who trains the 11/4 joint favourite for the enthusiastic Wet Room Syndicate.

Birmingham Alabama added to a Wexford maiden win last summer, when justifying 9/4 favouritism in the Festival 2025 Hospitality Selling Fast Novice Handicap Hurdle.

The winning pointer, trained by Eamonn Delany for Diane Flanagan, was left in front when Wendell’s Lass fell two out and was driven out on the run-in by Jordan Gainford to hold off the challenge of Lehaunstown by a length.

“She would possibly be better if she got a bit more of a lead, being left on her own in front didn’t really suit us, but she kept going. We think she’s not too bad and, hopefully, she’ll get another day,” said Delany’s son and assistant trainer, Alan.

THE mainly Waterford-based Good Ghandi Gang roared home Slotty Dotty to a decisive victory in the two-mile, six-furlong Join The Punchestown Members Club Handicap Hurdle, asserting before the last under Phillip Enright and drawing further clear on the run-in to beat Comeonarchie by seven lengths.

“She’s been consistent without getting her head in front, but her run in Limerick I thought put her right in the picture. She stays well and the extra few furlongs today was a big help to her and she will get three miles,” said trainer Benny Crowley of the 11/2 winner.

“It’s a first horse for these owners. I’m after spoiling them, as they have won a point-to-point and now won at Punchestown. She jumps well and can jump a fence in time.”

Past pointer

Forceonmyown was another successful pointer to score on the day in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Flat Race, getting on top inside the final furlong for Harry Swan to beat Jem’s Lilly by two and three-quarter lengths.

“She’s a tough little mare and has a big heart. I wasn’t sure that she’d win a bumper and thought she’d be more one to go jumping,” said trainer Gordon Elliott.

“I only had her about three or four weeks before she ran in Limerick and Denis Ahern sent her up to me. He owns her along with a few friends (Blue Riband Racing). I’d imagine she will go jumping now.”