Jack Kennedy sustained a fractured femur [leg] in a fall at Punchestown on Wednesday evening.

The rider, who landed this year's Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham on Labaik, was unshipped from the Tony Martin-trained Bobbie's Diamond at the last fence in the La Touche Restaurant Novice Chase.

Dr Bernard Healy, the medical officer on duty for the Turf Club, said: "Jack was transferred to Naas hospital with a queried fractured femur." He later comfirmed that Kennedy had suffered a fracture of his left femur.

The race was won by Townshend produced a slick round of jumping to banish memories of his previous fall.

Willie Mullins' charge came to grief when tackling Grade 1 company at the Festival at this venue, but looked much more comfortable down in grade, remaining up with the pace throughout under Ruby Walsh.

Townshend was an impressive winner

When fellow pacesetter Three Wise Men fell at the second last, it was plain sailing for the 5/4 favourite, who came home seven lengths clear of Potters Point.

Mullins said: "He jumped well and did it well, obviously it didn't shake his confidence when he fell here at the festival.

"We'll probably just keep to more of the same with him. I don't know whether there is much around for him to aim for. He's a novice till December so we'll see where we go. Galway is sort of the target with all these horses."

FIGHTBACK

Caolaneoin produced a thrilling fightback to edge out Shadow Catcher and land the Panoramic Restaurant Handicap Chase at Punchestown.

Shadow Catcher was more prominent than the eventual winner in the early stages, but Robbie Colgan had Caolaneoin in front by the turn for home.

Shane Nolan's 8/1 chance was then narrowly headed by Shadow Catcher between the last two fences, but found just enough to claw back the deficit and land the verdict by a nose. Mr Fiftyone was three and a quarter lengths back in third.

The 11-year-old was winning after running a fine second at the Festival when last seen and Nolan said: "He deserved it after the run the last day. He gets knocked a lot for not finding much off the bridle but he's had plenty of problems with his wind.

"The bit of nice ground is starting to help him as he gets older. Fair play to the lads they've been really patient. They had to wait four years for him to win his beginners and then the guts of 14 or 15 months to get the next one there.

"You can knock him but he's been picking up plenty of prize money all year. It's great that he's backed up the last day.

"We'll keep going as long as it's not rock hard ground, he'll handler nice ground. We might go back for a hurdle as he looks off a nice mark over hurdles."

Nolan went on to complete a double when 9/2 joint favourite Simone battled well for Steven Clements to win the closing bumper from Jamie Codd and Lighthouse Warrier.

The most impressive winner of the day was the Gigginstown House Stud owned Delta Work, ((1/10) who Bryan Cooper partnered to a 20-length win in the two mile and half a furlong maiden hurdle. The Network gelding, second on his Irish debut at Cork, took it up after two out and came home alone with Sea Bank in second.

SHOCK WINNER

The biggest priced winner was the Mark Fahey trained Tourboy who beat some horses with bigger reputations in the three mile maiden.

Sandra Hughes-trained Coeur Joyeux, four times placed last year in the J.P. McManus colours, went off favourite at 11/8 ahead of one time Supreme Novices Hurdle favourite Senewalk (6/4), in the colours of Rich Ricci. Senewalk was beaten turning in though he stayed on at the same pace in fourth but Tourboy quickened nicely between the last two and Ian McCarthy kept him going for a shock 33/1 success.

The Irish Stallion Farms EBF Handicap Chase over three mles half a furlong also had a surpise winner in the John Ryan-trained Icantsay, ridden by Danny Mullins. He beat Courtncatcher (14/1) by eight and a half lengths. Stonehall Jack went off 5/1 favourite but was unplaced.

Chris Timmons and Edward Cawley combined to win the three mile handicap chase with Nobody Home (5/1). The 11/4 favourite Knockraha King could only manage third.