THE Mouse Morris-trained and Robcour-owned French Dynamite bridged a two-year gap without a win, when justifying strong support in the Grade 3 BetVictor Chase – the highlight of a two-day midweek meeting at Punchestown.

The two mile and seven furlong event was reduced to seven runners in the absence of Visionarian and Hurricane Georgie, both due to the going (officially good to yielding), and overnight odds of 16/1 about the French-bred gelding quickly tumbled with his price further slashed on course from 13/2 into 7/2. Mark Walsh’s mount made most and kept on well from before the last to beat Minella Indo by two and a quarter lengths, with Hewick another four and a half lengths back in third.

Morris said: “The horses seem to be back in form, and I was hoping the fact that he was fit would help. I asked Mark to be very handy and Conflated going at the first was a help, but that’s racing. The fact that he gets three miles opens up a lot of other options. We’ll see how he comes out of this and what the lads want to do. He won’t go on bottomless ground, but I think he’ll go on soft.”

Siblings land Grade 3

The BetVictor Novice Chase was another Grade 3 on the card that attracted seven runners and Jordans, trained by Joseph O’Brien for his sister Sarah, showed the benefit of a run behind stablemate San Salvador at Listowel last month, when going one better here over two miles and two furlongs. The 11/4 favourite led after two out and, despite a slow jump at the last, kept on under pressure to hold off Monbeg Park by half a length.

Winning rider Richie Deegan said: “He just pricked his ears a bit in front, and I was probably in front a bit soon.

“He popped the last and it just gave the other horse a chance to come back to us, but I never felt like I was going to be headed. He jumped well and will improve again.”

MICHAEL Kenneally, who rode three winners as an apprentice on the flat in England and has also been successful between the flags this year, partnered his first Irish winner under rules, as Pebble Bleu (18/1) put in a fine round of jumping from the front in the Morell Suite At Punchestown (Q.R.) Handicap Chase. The five-year-old grey mare, trained by Colin Motherway for Drury Tea & Coffee Limited, was reeled in at the penultimate fence, but found extra in the closing stages to get the better of Joyeux Vivo by a length and a quarter.

“She jumped super, she’s honest and tough, and I never felt like I was going to get beat, even when they came to me. She was winging fences and I knew she had plenty,” said the 29-year-old amateur rider. “I ride out with John Halley two days a week and I’m also with Colin two days and a number of yards around home.”

Fascile Mode made for chasing

Fascile Mode took the other race over fences, the Punchestown Racecourse Beginners Chase over an extended two miles. The 130-rated hurdler challenged Touch Me Not in the straight and just got on top close home to beat that rival by a neck under Danny Mullins.

“That’s what he’s made for – he was always a chaser. He jumped well and was clever enough,” said Tom Mullins, who trains the well-backed 7/4 favourite for his wife Helen. “He won twice here over hurdles and could come back here (for the Grade 2 Craddockstown Novice Chase) next month.”

Cappucino with a double shot

Cappucino made all to open his account in a Listowel bumper last month and repeated the tactics, when successfully reverting to hurdles at odds of 10/11 in the BetVictor Maiden Hurdle. Sean Flanagan’s mount appeared to be getting the better of The Mediator, when a better jump at the last settled the issue to beat that rival by four and a quarter lengths.

“He’s progressing and settling, but whether we’ll get to continue to make the running with him, I don’t know. As he goes up in quality it will be harder, but at least he’s more professional,” said Liz Doyle, who trains the bay for the Cappucino Partnership. “He jumps very well and we’ll probably go handicapping with him now.”

FRONT-RUNNING tactics proved fruitful for Hasten Slowly in the Punchestown Premiere Weekend 23rd & 24th November Mares Handicap Hurdle, with Alex Harvey’s mount holding off the late surge of Vischio by half a length.

“She’s taken to hurdles really well, but wouldn’t go on winter ground and will probably get a break and come back in the spring,” said John McConnell, who trains the filly for the 119 Partnership. “We got her out of a claimer this time last year and she’s won four for us. Alex gave her a very good ride from the front and quickened at the right time.”

D Art digs deep

D Art D Art recorded a third career win in the 2025 Membership On Sale Soon Handicap Hurdle over two and a half miles, really knuckling down for Donagh Meyler on the run-in to peg back Missus Beeton, who was travelling best before the last, by a short-head. “I fancied him no end, if he didn’t create havoc in the ring, which he did in Listowel. We put the hood on him today, took a gadget off him and left him to his own devices and he was A1,” said Tom Cooper, who trains the 6/1 winner for Ciaran Mooney. “We’ve changed tactics, dropped him in and he loved passing horses. He’ll go further and he’ll handle a dig in the ground.”

Well-bred pilot partners home-bred winner

Ted Walsh was full of praise for rider Josh Williamson, after Friary Road followed up a victory at Listowel last month in the BetVictor Flat Race. The 6/1 shot drew clear in the closing stages to beat Whinney Hill by three lengths and the local trainer commented: “He’s a good rider and won’t be claiming 7lb for too long. He’s bred to be good and his father won (the Triumph Hurdle) on Commanche Court in ’97. He wasn’t even born then! He’s better than maybe I thought he was, and he could go for another bumper in Navan. He won’t go jumping, as he’s a handy, light horse. He might make a nice flat horse next year,” added Walsh, who trains the gelding for his wife Helen.