Racing: Neptune Collonges produced a fine staying performance to lift the Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup under Ruby Walsh this afternoon.
Run in heavy rain, the three-mile-one-furlong trip brought out the best in Paul Nicholls' charge, with Walsh making full use of his stamina.
After taking it up four out, Neptune Collonges pulled clear of Kingscliff in the straight, with favourite In Compliance left toiling back in third.
A revitalised Kingscliff was keen in front for jockey Robert Walford and set the early pace, with Neptune Collonges in close attendance and 6-4 favourite In Compliance settled on the rail in third.
The latter was still travelling well turning for home, but Walsh began to wind up the pace as he hit the front aboard the eventual 8-1 winner.
Neptune Collonges was soon motoring three or four lengths clear as In Compliance began to run out of petrol. Kingscliff tried his best to go with him, but Walsh was always holding the aces and pulled three and a half lengths clear at the line.
Earlier, Grand National-winning rider Robbie Power popped Phantom Ladout in front and the pair never saw another rival in recording an all-the-way success in the Aon Hurdle - the opening race on day two of the Festival.
Jessica Harrington's 13/2 chance was being gunned down by the Nicky Henderson-trained Ingratitude after the final flight in the two-mile event but held on to collect by a length and a quarter.
Harrington said: "Robbie said he rode him wrong the last day in Fairyhouse; he should have made more use of him as he just stays.
"I thought they were going to get to him but he has stayed really well again. I might step him up in trip."
Only once this season has Grangeclare Larknot come home in front and Dessie Hughes' ultra-consistent six-year-old landed her sixth race of the campaign in the Bewleys Hotels Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Hurdle.
Shuil Aris was sent off the 6/4 favourite despite being beaten by the winner last time out and she again had to settle for second best in this Grade Three contest.
Hughes' mare sneaked up the inside rail under Roger Loughran after jumping the final flight and got past the post with two and a half lengths to spare over the market leader.
Hughes said of the 11-4 shot: "She has done it very well. I was a bit surprised she was done for speed turning for home so she may be better over two and a half miles. She has won on heavy but she likes decent ground and these are her conditions."
Top-level races over timber beckon for Bobs Prideafter he justified favouritism in the Oberstown Developments Handicap Hurdle.
The market leader was cheered on by the crowd when ranging upsides swinging towards the final two flights and Ruby Walsh's mount sailed away to collect by three lengths from Bien Bronze.
Dermot Weld's charge had been a useful performer on the level, having captured the 2005 Ballysax Stakes, and a return to the Flat could be on the cards before next winter.
Weld said: "He is a good horse and he is improving rapidly. He will probably have the summer off and I will bring him back for a good Flat race later in the year.
"I had planned to send him to the English Cambridgeshire and I may still do that, but I think he will go right to the top over hurdles and he is Grade One class."
Nina Carberry landed the Paddy Power Champion INH Flat Race aboard the Noel Meade-trained Mick The Man. Carberry rode a classic waiting race aboard the six-year-old as favourite Cork All Star took up a prominent position on the outside.
Cork All Star and Woodbine Willie were still battling it out coming into the final furlong, but Carberry produced her mount down the outside to steal the Grade One prize.
Mick The Man just drifted towards the rail under pressure, checking Woodbine Willie, who in turn ran into Cork All Star, but Carberry's mount was a convincing two-length winner.
Today's results
2.15pm
1st Phantom Lad 13/2
2nd Ingratitude 7/1
3rd Loup Du Saubouas 14/1
4th Zafar 16/1
2.50pm
1st Grangeclare Lark 11/4
2nd Shuil Aris 6/4
3rd Blazing Sky 8/1
3.30pm
1st Bobs Pride 100/30
2nd Bien Bronze 10/1
3rd Farmer Brown 7/1
4th Top of the Charts 7/1
4.05pm
1st Neptune Collonges 8/1
2nd Kingscliff 16/1
3rd In Compliance 6/4
4.40pm
1st Royal County Star 9/2
2nd Carrigeen Kalmia 20/1
3rd In The High Grass 12/1
5.15pm
1st Mick The Man 10/1
2nd Woodbine Willie 14/1
3rd Shirley Casper 15/2
5.50pm
1st Pacolet 11/2
2nd Reisk Superman 7/2
3rd Kit Carson 11/2
6.25
1st Joe Blake 6/1
2nd It's Like That 10/1
3rd Ned Kelly 3/1f
4th Arctic Times 11/1