Highlight of the day

Nicky Henderson was sporting enough to bring Constitution Hill to Punchestown on the back of two falls and there’s no secret that he was crestfallen when it didn’t work out. To see him leave the meeting with a Grade 1 winner in the shape of Lulamba was a welcome result. The four-length winner would be unbeaten but for a neck defeat in the Triumph and could be anything next season.

Ride of the day

When a horse wins eased down by 15 lengths, you’d find it hard to think that a riding tactic was obviously the difference between victory and defeat, but the victory of Shanbally Kidwas made by Danny Mullins’ gutsiness to go wide throughout. In terms of a big handicap scenario on a well-backed favourite, this was one of the cleverest rides of the season.

Performance of the day

Yes, Brighterdaysahead clearly didn’t fire but Jade De Grugywon with great professionalism and showed a nice change of pace on ground that might have been quicker than she ideally wants. She missed the first half of this season and could be even better next term with a full crack at the campaign. Whether Lossiemouth sticks to the Mares’ Hurdle next season will probably be key to her Cheltenham claims.

In-running carnage of the day

There was considerably less drama close home on day five than earlier in the week. Poniros, sent off at 7/2, traded at close to evens in-running before Lulamba’s stronger finishing effort. The winner (11/10 favourite) went out to 11/5 in-running.

Market mover of the day

The level of confidence behind Jade De Grugy, and market weakness surrounding Brighterdaysahead, was telling. The winner returned the even-money favourite (from a morning price of 3/1). Shanbally Kid was extremely well found in the market too (SP 15/2 joint-favourite from a morning price of 25/1), while Vitorio Piel was smashed up in the bumper to 7/4 favourite (7/1 earlier in the day). A plunge on Jazzy Matty (4/1 favourite from 10/1) in the Lawlor’s Of Naas Handicap Hurdle went astray when the dual Cheltenham winner was pulled up. There was also a strong result for the bookmakers when both Canal End (fourth as 5/2 favourite) and Jasmin De Grugy(runner-up at 3/1 from 10/1) were beaten by Bill Baxter in the Pat Taaffe Handicap Chase.

Quote of the day

“I’m all for having a go [in Ireland] and it’s important that we all have a go if we have the right sort of horse. It pays off every now and then. It’s what it’s all about - competition is good” - Warren Greatrex after Bill Baxter continued a superb week for the visitors.