DERMOT McLoughlin won the Midlands National four years ago with subsequent Irish Grand National winner Freewheelin Dylan and the Ratoath trainer is again targeting next month’s Kilbeggan highlight with Mousey Brown who continued on an upward curve by landing the featured Punchestown Handicap Chase.

The Alan Smith-owned mare, who has now won six times under Rules including at Kilbeggan the previous weekend, travelled smoothly throughout and quickly asserted after two out under Paddy O’Hanlon to beat Railway Hurricane by an easy nine and a half lengths.

“We ran her here hoping she’d get into the Midlands National. She’s a big mare and hopefully she’ll keep improving. If she gets into Kilbeggan she’ll go there,” said McLoughlin of the well-backed 11/8 favourite. “You’re always anxious running back after seven days, but she’s obviously not taking much out of herself. She’ll get a good break now as Kilbeggan is about six weeks away.”

Galway bound

The Galway Hurdle is among a number of options available at Ballybrit for Facile Mode after the Walk In The Park gelding upset 1/3 shot Ash Tree Meadow in the Thank You Tom Maguire From All At Punchestown Hurdle. The 10/3 chance headed the hot favourite off the home turn and soon took control under Jack Foley to beat that rival by five and a half lengths.

“I have Galway on my mind for him and he could go to Tipperary before that. Which handicap hurdle he’ll go for in Galway I don’t know - he probably has a choice of three,” said Tom Mullins who trains the winner for his wife Helen. “He wants that type of ground and was very well in himself, so I kept him in and Galway is the obvious place for him.”

On the bounce

Reverend Hubert, trained by Charles Byrnes for James Flaherty, made it two from two over fences when taking a competitive renewal of the Jim Ryan Memorial Novice Chase. The 9/2 chance made headway to challenge at the penultimate fence and despite a slight mistake when holding a narrow advantage at the last, kept on well on the run-in for Shane Fitzgerald to beat Solitary Man by two and a quarter lengths.

“It was a good race and turned into a bit of a sprint, but his flat speed helped. I’m delighted with him and he was strong up to the line which is the most important thing. He made a few mistakes but overall he is a very good jumper,” said Byrnes before adding, “It’s hard to know what we’ll do with him now as there aren’t that many races for him.”

SARGENT Lightfoot, just denied over fences at Kilbeggan last month, went one better under Susie Doyle in the Cheers To The Punchestown Women Ladies Handicap Hurdle, holding off the late surge of Missus Beeton by three-quarters of a length.

“I hadn’t intended going back for a hurdle but there wasn’t a chase coming up that suited him and when he’s in good form we wanted to run him,” said trainer Adrian Murray, who also owns the 7/1 winner in partnership with Martin and Anthony McLoughlin and Sean Coyne.

“He settled well for her and jumped great. He’s starting to relax now as he used to be a bit of a tearaway and would get worked up before a race. He has options now over hurdles and fences over the summer.”

Banned

Aine O’Connor picked up a seven-day whip ban on third-placed Joyeux Vivo, while Meryem Walsh was also given a four-day ban for her use of the whip on Benkei (finished 13th).

Petite Mike fell at the last with a circuit to run bringing down Dreamings Free and both their riders, Sarah McNamara and Emma Costello, were taken to Naas Hospital for x-rays and further examination.

Sean Cleary-Farrell took full advantage of a good opportunity for his boss Willie Mullins on Just For Love in the Lily & Wild Mares Maiden Hurdle, with the Niall Glynn-owned 13/8 favourite getting the better of Rosalys on the run-in to score by three and a quarter lengths.

“She was very strong when I needed her. I was a bit surprised that she started at two miles and five furlongs over hurdles, but Willie Mullins doesn’t do too much wrong! I was expecting her to have a look at the hurdles and that run will surely bring her on a lot,” said Cleary-Farrell after partnering his sixth career winner.

SHARK Hanlon and his son Paddy teamed up to land the John Dowling Memorial Maiden Hurdle with Topgun Simmy (7/2) who appreciated the step up to two miles and seven furlongs when beating Innatendue, whose rider Alex Harvey was given a four-day whip ban, by half-a-length.

“I’m delighted to have a winner for the Durkan family and the two lads are sons of the late Tony Durkan. They would love to go to Galway and we’ll plan something for there,” said the Bagenalstown trainer. “Paddy gave him a great ride as he didn’t panic and gave him a chance. That’s his third winner in the last ten days.”

McManus one-two

J.P. McManus had the first two home in the K-Mech Mechanical Handicap Hurdle, but it was the easy-to-back 16/1 shot So They Tell Me that got the better of better fancied Donkey Years by three and a quarter lengths in the hands of Aidan Kelly.

“He was a bit disappointing the last day. It was his first handicap and they went a bit quick for him and he missed a few hurdles. His jumping was a bit better today and maybe the step up in distance helped as well,” said trainer Padraig Roche.

The Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares (Pro/Am) Flat Race produced an impressive winner as newcomer Savante (6/1) led early in the straight and drew clear inside the final furlong to beat Fillusin by nine and a half lengths.

Nice filly

“We’ve always loved her and from day one she’s worked like a nice filly. They seemed to go a good gallop and Jimmy (O’Rourke) said she was always travelling well with him,” said trainer Colm Murphy. “We might put her away as she’s a filly that will go on winter ground as well. We’ll speak to Paul (McKeon, owner) and make a plan.”