WEDNESDAY’s action at Punchestown was, of course, dominated by the surprise announcement of Ruby Walsh’s retirement after his win on Kemboy in the Coral Punchestown Gold Cup, a fittingly high-class performance from man as well as beast.

In pulling 22 lengths clear of the remainder, Kemboy and Al Boum Photo turned in the two best time efforts by staying chasers in the last year, worth figures of 175 and 173 respectively, with the former showing considerable grit and stamina in the process.

The place won’t be the same without Ruby, but at least these two excellent seven-year-olds should be around for quite a while longer to entertain us.

Minella Indo confirmed the form of his shock Cheltenham Festival win by landing the Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle earlier on the card, rallying in a well-run race as Allaho (touched 12/1 on in running) finally wilted.

There were a few snapping at their heels at the finish and the winner gets a 148 timefigure rather than anything higher.

Gypsy Island (122) was much faster than Colreevy (97) in the two two-mile bumpers and only 1.7s slower in the final half a mile or so. The Peter Fahey-trained mare looks a fine prospect for when she returns to hurdles.