THE useful hurdler Panda Boy made a pleasing transition to fences in the Ladbrokes-sponsored three-mile beginners’ chase.

A lightly raced 136-rated performer over timber and successful in a Pertemps Qualifier at Christmas, the Old Pals Partnership-owned grey ran out a commanding winner under J.J. Slevin after creeping his way into contention through the second half of the race.

Panda Boy (11/2) looked to have plenty to do from fifth with four to jump and he still had four rivals to pass turning for home. He picked up in great style after two out and headed the front-running Caesar Rock before a nine-length victory.

“We decided after his run here at the festival to go chasing with him and I always thought decent ground would suit him well,” stated Brassil. “He should make a nice staying chaser and he’s only six and we might give him a little break now.”

O’Brien on Fire

After sending out a Group 1 winner in France earlier in the afternoon, Joseph O’Brien added to his haul when 137-rated Fire Attack won the featured Ladbrokes Comitted To Safer Gambling Handicap Chase.

The useful Gigginstown House Stud-owned seven-year-old produced a taking front-running effort under Shane Fitzgerald and had considerable reserves to call upon when several rivals closed up with menace in the straight.

From the second last, the 13/8 favourite always seemed to be doing enough and he saw off Bold Enough by four lengths to take his tally over fences to two wins from four starts.

APPROPRIATELY the last National Hunt race at Punchestown before October went to Willie Mullins as Pink In The Park (8/11), under the trainer’s son Patrick, took the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares (Pro/Am) Flat Race.

This Roaringwater Syndicate-owned mare had kept good company since winning at Listowel last September and availed of a good opportunity. She did have to work for this as the always prominent Gaoth Chuil took plenty of subduing but Pink In The Park got on top in the closing stages to prevail by a length and a quarter.

“That was a nice weight-carrying performance as she was giving the second horse 20lb. She likes that ground but I think I’ll give her a break as she’s had a busy enough time and go jumping later in the season,” stated the champion trainer.

Elliott double

Gordon Elliott’s summer team really hit their stride last week and the trainer made it six winners in five days with a double which began when Return To Base (22/1) upstaged some much better-fancied rivals in the Ladbrokes-sponsored mares’ maiden hurdle over two miles.

The Ann Marie McManus-owned mare hadn’t run since finishing in midfield in a Kilbeggan maiden on her debut over a year ago but turned out in great shape off a long absence.

She turned this race into a decidedly one-sided affair in the closing stages as Jack Kennedy moved her to the front nearing the last and the pair then surged clear to defeat the second favourite Mitiva by nine lengths.

“It’s been hard work to get her back to the track but she’s done that well and looks like she’ll be ok. I’m happy with that and we’ll keep her on the go for the summer now. Jack is riding brilliantly,” commented Elliott.

Ziggy zips home

Salvador Ziggy, on his first start for Elliott, brought up the double in the Ladbrokes Best Odds Guaranteed On Racing Maiden Hurdle over just short of two and a half miles. Jack Kennedy produced the son of El Salvador with a telling challenge approaching the final flight and the well-backed 11/4 chance got the better of the market leader Another Choice by a length and a quarter.

“He’d been working well and he’d shown good form in his bumpers,” reported Elliott, whose charge is owned by William and Aisling Hurley. “I’d say he’ll improve from this and a longer trip would probably suit him better.”

THE splendid progression of Direct Image yielded a fifth straight success in the Watch Racing Free Online With Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle over three miles.

A 16lb hike in the weights for a win at Tipperary several weeks previously made this a tough assignment for Robert Tyner’s mare but she once again rose to the challenge at hand.

The Michael Walsh and John Carroll-owned 5/2 favourite dug deep for Phillip Enright on the run to the last to fend off the outsider Loudest Whisper and prevail by a length and a half.

“The handicapper was hard enough on her last time but she got there again. I don’t know if she can go any higher as she’s only a handy mare but the lads that own her are absolutely thrilled,” said the trainer’s wife Mary.

Three up

The reliable Marshalled (7/2) made it three wins from his last six outings in the Ladbrokes-sponsored Lady Riders Handicap Hurdle. The J.P. McManus-owned gelding looked set for second when Shantou Lucky loomed upsides and edged ahead on the run to the last. However, he rallied gamely for Áine O’Connor to regain the lead late on and score by three-quarters of a length.

“He’s a tough, genuine horse and he battled well for Áine who gave him a great ride. He’s a summer horse and he’ll probably go back over fences at some stage,” declared Padraig Roche.