Rest of card
BANKS stalwart Vital Island (9/2) rounded off a dream week for the Richie O’Keeffe team from Co Wexford, when the 13-year-old showed his specialist ability to get the better of French Dynamite in the Howden Cross Country Chase.
Following up a one-two for the stable in the Ladies’ Cup on day one of the meeting, the former Ladies’ Cup and La Touche-winning stayer had finished fourth over the course on Thursday behind Busselton and returned in top order to score by three-quarters of a length under Barry Stone.
The O’Keeffes aren’t frequent visitors to the track, but their last 15 runners under rules have yielded five winners, three seconds, a third and a fourth.
“He thinks he’s at home when he’s here!” said the winning trainer.
“We’re talking about going to France for one of the big cross country races there, it’s in about three weeks’ time.”
Top marks for Danny
An inventive piece of riding on a well-handicapped horse proved an unstoppable combination in the €50,000 Oaklodgelandscapes.ie Handicap Chase, with Danny Mullins and Shanbally Kid thriving on taking the scenic route for a well-backed, 15-length win.
Jumping at a slower pace on this step up to an extended three miles and seven furlongs (compared to when pulled up on his previous start over two and a half miles behind Caldwell Potter at Cheltenham) made a major difference to the Gigginstown-owned novice, who returned the 15/2 favourite (from a morning price of 25/1 and opening ring show of 16/1).
“That was Danny’s plan - he had walked the track and thought there was nicer ground wide,” said Willie Mullins.
“The other thing about this horse is he’s a bit like his owner, he likes to be on his own! He gets a bit upset when he’s near horses and I said to Danny to keep him on his own as much as he could.
“He could be a National horse and he’s a novice in England for next season, as the English season ended last week.”
Sunshine time
There was another big handicap winner to bring Willie Mullins’ tally to 15 for the 2025 Punchestown Festival when Hey Sunshine captured the €100,000 Lawlor’s Of Naas Handicap Hurdle under Paul Townend - stepping up considerably from being the last to finish in the Honeysuckle Novice Hurdle on Easter Sunday.
Better ground, and switching to handicap company off 10st 6lb, appeared to make a big difference to the Temple Bloodstock-owned mare, who saw off spirited efforts from the British-trained duo of Impose Toi and Wellington Arch.
“I thought she was well handicapped but I was worried if it was going to be too soon after Fairyhouse, as it was testing that day,” said Temple Bloodstock’s Aubrey McMahon.
“She’s a tough mare and a pleasure to have. We lease her off Victor Connolly, who owns Burgage Stud. It’s a fantastic result for him too.”
Emmet again
A Punchestown Festival four-timer across the final two days saw Emmet Mullins match his best seasonal tally of 18 for the 2024/’25 campaign, with the strongly-supported Vitorio Piel creating quite the impression in the DAR Golf Construction Bumper under John Gleeson.
A 7/1 shot in the morning, the 7/4 favourite rates a high-class prospect for next season after this six-length win on his rules debut in the trainer’s colours.
“He had been showing plenty at home,” said Mullins. “He’s a lovely, big horse, straightforward and uncomplicated. John said there wasn’t much pace, so I gave him free rein to just bounce out handy and see how he found it.
“It’s been a frustrating enough season up to now, but it’s huge to go out and finish it off well.”
Baxter for the Brits
One of the standout themes of the 2025 Punchestown Festival was the strong showing from British-trained runners, and Warren Greatrex’s Bill Baxter (12/1) added his name to a list of eight visiting winners on the week in the €50,000 Palmerstown House Estate Pat Taaffe Handicap Chase.