SALVADOR Ziggy (8/13 favourite) was another odds-on shot to oblige when making a winning start over fences for Gordon Elliott in the Ladbrokes Beginners Chase.

The William and Aisling Hurley-owned gelding had five and half lengths in hand of runner-up Hubrisko. Winning rider Danny Gilligan said: “His jumping is going to come on plenty from it. He was a bit novicey the whole way, jumping up and spending a bit of time in the air. He did what he had to.

“I tried to teach him a bit, getting him in tight to a couple, and he’s going to come on plenty. To be fair to him, he was clever when he was in tight and he was well able to lift his legs. If he got around here, I’m sure he’ll have no bother in future.”

Cusack

Arrycan took the Ladbrokes Handicap Chase for Liam Cusack and the Shannon Street Syndicate. The 7/1 winner kept on well to score by a length and a half from Birchdale.

“That was nice. Things happened a bit quick for him the last day but he came out of the race well,” said Cusack. “He’s probably a horse for the bigger tracks and he got into a lovely rhythm, ears pricked, and he jumped for fun. It’s nice to have him back, he’s a nice enough horse.

“It’s lovely to win, they are a great bunch of lads and they are getting great fun out of him. He could maybe go for the Galway Blazers, that would be made for him I’d say. He wouldn’t get into the Plate.”

Joanna Walton teamed up with trainer Philip Rothwell to win the Ladbrokes Fanzone ‘Your Team Your Game’ Ladies Handicap Hurdle with Warm In Gorey (11/2).

The Carrigroe Gaels Syndicate-owned gelding had half a length in hand at the line. Rothwell said: “I’m delighted with that. The lads have been great, he’s been second three times. He was sneaking up along the handicap and I didn’t see anything for him for three weeks bar this race.”

Fly and Aces provide Mullins a double

WILLIE Mullins trained a first and last race double at Punchestown last Sunday afternoon. The opening Ladbrokes ‘We Play Together’ Mares Maiden Hurdle went to 4/7 favourite Arctic Fly in the colours of Brendan O’Sullivan.

Having made all to record a nine-length success, jockey Jack Foley reported: “She did that well. That was the plan, to get away smart and wherever I settled after that. She settled beautifully in front and jumped really well; she really took to jumping anyway. There are plenty of options for her going forward.”

Four Clean Aces completed the Mullins brace as 2/5 favourite; leading throughout, before running out a five-length winner of the Irish Stallion Mares EBF Mares(Pro/Am) INH Flat Race.

Patrick Mullins was suitably impressed by the Jack Of All Trade Syndicate-owned winner and said: “She was very good. It wasn’t the plan to make the running but no-one wanted to go on. The Slattery horse was annoying us all the way, sitting on my boot, so she was very good not to let that get to her.

“She quickened up, it’s hard for a mare to win with a penalty and she’s not over-big but she has an engine. She has a lovely pedigree and it’s a flat pedigree. Even though she won over two and a half the first day, I think she could run on the flat in time.”

Londonofficecallin was always to the fore before running out an easy 16-length winner of the Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle for Eric McNamara and Daniel King.

Impressive

The well-backed 4/1 favourite carried the colours of the In Bounds Syndicate. Conor McNamara, the trainer’s son, said: “Dan was good on him; There wasn’t much pace and he let him roll away in front. I’d say he got a bit of a freebie but having said that, he wound it up well from the back of the third last and he was impressive.

“There is a race for him on the flat next Friday, a mile-and-a-half at Fairyhouse, and he might go there.”

A very Easy success for Cody’s Fella

EASY Fella made most of the running to win the Ladbrokes Daily Odds Boost Maiden Hurdle by 16 lengths for Ray Cody and Niall Moore.

Afterwards, Moore said of the 15/8 favourite, owned by the Four In One Syndicate: “He’s a big horse who covers a lot of ground and you have to make plenty of use of him. I found that the day I rode him in Ballinrobe so I said today I’d make use of that big lovely stride he has and give him a good bit of help down to his hurdles.

“He can be lazy at times and sticky. He missed one or two but was taking lengths from the horses everywhere else. I got a good breather into him down the bottom and when I kicked, I was gone.

“Whatever he does over hurdles he’s only going to improve when he goes jumping fences.”

Shane Fitzgerald produced Mister Beeton with a well-timed challenge to land the Ladbrokes Play ‘1-2 Free’ Handicap Hurdle.

The John Clarke-owned 13/2 chance had a length and a half to spare from Ounce Of Gold.

“He got a great ride off Shane, he put him asleep and cut every corner he could,” said winning trainer Shane Nolan. “We were confident enough turning in, he was only going through the motions and once he got the gap, I was confident enough. He won well in the end.

“He’ll keep tipping away; he loves that ground. He likes a bit of space between his races so we’ll pick something out in five or six weeks.”