Racing:Footy Facts (9-4) ran out an easy winner of the Kathleen Clarke 80th Birthday Hurdle at snow-swept Punchestown. The ground was already saturated before a flurry of snow hit after racing got under way.
Willie Mullins’ Glencove Marina, favourite for the Arkle a couple of years ago before injury struck, was sent off the 2-1 jolly but, under a considerate ride from Ruby Walsh, he was just beaten into third by Hardy Eustace.
Dessie Hughes’ veteran was ridden patiently by Paddy Flood compared to his normal front-running tactics but he never looked like winning.
Robert Tyner’s Footy Facts had won over fences last time and relished the extremely testing conditions under Philip Enright to come home 13 lengths clear of the dual champion hurdler.
Tyner said: “That worked well. We thought Hardy Eustace was going to make it and we were going to take him on about three out but we got a grand lead in the end.
“He picked up really well and Philip said that’s the best he’s felt in a long
time. This was just a stepping stone as our aim is the Thyestes Chase in Gowran Park at the end of January.”
Troytown Chase winner Beroni took advantage of a much lower handicap mark over timber with an all-the-way win in the Buy Your Tickets On Line Handicap Hurdle.
Mullins decided to skip the Welsh National earlier this week and that decision paid dividends as the 9-10 favourite won by four and a half lengths.
Paul Townend set a pretty sedate pace out in front but kicked clear entering the straight and try as Farringdon might, he never looked like getting on terms.
PUNCHESTOWN RESULTS
12.45
1 Sigma Lifestyle (DJ Condon) 4-1
2 Grab A Grand (PT Enright) 10-1
3 Imaalhall (MP Walsh) 8-1
13 Ran
1.15
1 The Dew At Night (P Townend) 2-1
2 10 Whosaidso (AE Lynch) 7-4 Fav
3 Dick Naylor (MP) Walsh 16-1
12 Ran
Non Runner: Ard Agus Fada
1.45
1 Footy Facts (PT Enright) 9-4
2 Hardy Eustace (PW) Flood 11-4
3 Glencove Marina (R Walsh) 2-1 Fav
7 Ran
2.15
1 Beroni (P Townend) 9-10 Fav
2 Farringdon (R Walsh) 2-1
6 Ran
Non Runner: Dirar
2.45
1 Bob Will Fix It (SJ Gray) 5-2 Fav
2 Hidden Crack (PD Kennedy )11-2
3 Carnbridge (E Mullins) 7-2
14 Ran
3.15
1 Pittoni (BC Byrnes) 5-1
2 Soldier Bay (AE Lynch) 5-2
3 Time Machine (RC) Colgan 8-1
13 Ran
Non Runner: Mathaaq
3.45
1 Araucaria (Mr D Kiely) 11-10 Fav
2 My Cool Lady (Mr A T Duff) 8-1
3 Perfectly Composed (Mr P W Mullins) 7-2
10 Ran