RACING – Punchestown Day 5 report:Perennial bridesmaid Barizanenjoyed his day in the sun as he gained a deserved Grade One triumph in the Airshow 100 Champion Four Year Old Hurdle this afternoon.
Evan Williams’s youngster went mighty close to springing a surprise in Cheltenham’s Triumph Hurdle after setting a scorching gallop, only getting caught late in the day up the punishing hill.
He was second again in the Matalan Anniversary 4-Y-O Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree but lining up at his third Festival in little over a month, he came good at the third time of asking with a glorious display.
Sent off at 4-1 in the hands of in-form jockey Jason Maguire, he once again adopted his customary trail-blazing tactics.
Favourite Carlito Brigante sat second for much of the contest but could not reel in Barizan, who kept up the gallop to score by 12 lengths.
Willie Mullins and Paul Townend continued their sensational week as French import Tarlalanded the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association Fillies Scheme European Breeders Fund Mares Hurdle.
The four-year-old was sent off the 13-8 favourite in the hands of Townend for this first start on Irish soil and having travelled strongly, she wore down Leblon to score by a cosy half-length.
The quicker ground saw Cuan Na Graibounce right back to form with an impressive performance in the Eventus Marquees Novice Chase.
Paul Nolan’s 2006 Galway Hurdle winner had won just once since turning his attentions to fences but sent off at 11-2 for this competitive heat, he quickened clear in straight to beat Themoonandsixpence by eight lengths.
Enda Bolger's La Touche Cup runner-up Freneys Well(evens) went one better in the Irish Field Chase
The ten-year-old had chased home stablemate L’Ami over the Banks on Thursday and had little trouble getting his head in front two days later under Nina Carberry.
Coolcashin(14-1) struck a blow for Michael Bowe and Tom Doyle in the Tulfarris Hotel and Golf Resort Pat Taaffe Handicap Chase, narrowly getting the better of Shuil Aris in a tight finish.