Punchestown Friday

ANOTHER memorable meeting for Willie Mullins continued into the closing stages of last Friday’s card as El Fabiolo signed off a light but highly promising campaign in the SalesSense International Novice Hurdle over two miles.

After going from a Tramore maiden hurdle to pushing Jonbon all the way in a Grade 1 at Aintree, the Simon Munir and Isaac Souede-owned gelding justified 8/13 favouritism without too much difficulty.

Paul Townend moved his mount into a closing second rounding the last bend and the son of Spanish Moon led before the last and moved on for a decisive four-length triumph over stablemate Ha D’Or.

“He’s a lovely horse, a real chaser in the making. He had a hard race in Aintree so to come back from that and put in a battling finish like he did there was very good.

“I’d imagine we will look forward to going chasing with him. He’s a big, tall horse and is only learning how to race,” observed the champion trainer.

Not so Green

The day concluded with a 25/1 winner for Charles Byrnes as Green Glory claimed the Avison Young INH Flat Race over two and a quarter miles. As he looked to step forward from a respectable debut at Naas in late March, the Come Home Sober Syndicate-owned five-year-old stuck the front for Ray Barron just under two furlongs from home.

Once hitting the front, Green Glory looked distinctly green and he forfeited plenty of ground by drifting markedly left in the last furlong. However, he still reached the line with just under four lengths to spare over Passing Well.

“He had a nice first run and is still very green. He had one or two niggly problems and that is why he didn’t come out until now. I thought he would be in the first three but couldn’t say he was going to win,” declared Byrnes.