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Carrying the colours of Joe and Marie Donnelly, the Paul Townend-ridden winner came home to loud cheers from the packed stands at the Co Kildare venue.

Prior to the Grade 1 contest, the presence of former champion hurdler Constitution Hill (8/13 favourite) added spice to the race, and the reigning Cheltenham Champion Hurdler of 2025 Golden Ace was also in the six-runner field.

Paul Townend set out in front on the son of Doctor Dino and dictated the fractions throughout the two-mile contest.

With Golden Ace (14/1) and Lorcan William, and Kargese (15/2) and Danny Mullins tracking the leader, eyes turned to Constitution Hill as his rider James Bowen asked for an effort before two hurdles out.

With State Man increasing the tempo, and ultimately his lead, the Nicky Henderson-trained Constitution Hill soon looked in trouble and began to fade.

Townend and State Man were lengths clear heading to the final hurdle, with their only serious danger in front of them.

The Closutton inmate was given time to jump the final flight, and eventually ran out a four and three-quarter length winner over the mare Golden Ace, trained by Jeremy Scott.

State Man’s stable mate, Kargese, with Danny Mullins aboard, was next home, a length and a quarter behind the runner-up.

Ian Donoghue’s Break My Soul (125/1) was fourth, 18 lengths behind Kargese, with another three and a quarter lengths further back to race favourite Constitution Hill.

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In the hand of Paul Townend, the Willie Mullins-handled eight-year-old won the contest for the third year in-a-row.

Final Demand (7/4) was the first part of a Mullins-Townend Grade 1 on the day, as the son of Walk In The Park was an easy winner of the Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle.

Bishopscourt Cup

Fountain House (evens favourite) won the opening Stanley Asphalt Hunters Chase for the Bishopscourt Cup. Trained by Ian McCarthy, the winner was ridden by Eo’n Mahon.

Its On The Line starts Emmet Mullins treble

Its On The Line is the champion hunter chaser for the third year in-a-row. The Emmet Mullins-trained eight-year-old reeled in the British-trained race leader Viroflay (16/5) before the field entered the home straight.

Derek O’Connor worked hard on the race favourite as both he and the Olive Nicholls-ridden Viroflay headed to the final two fences.

Its On The Line was stoked up by O’Connor and showed his customary bravery to win the Event Power Champion Hunters Chase by two and a quarter lengths.

Viroflay had to settle for second, with Hollow Games (20/1), from the Gordon Elliott yard third, 35 lengths behind the runner-up.

Sea Music (33/1) completed an Emmet Mullins double, winning the Listed Quinn Bet Novice Handicap Chase under Donagh Meyler

The County Carlow handled completed a treble in the bumper, when the Paul Byrne-owned Soldier In Milan (5/2) ran out a good winner for jockey John Gleeson.

Dinoblue impreses in Mares Chase

Dinoblue (4/7 favourite) completed a J.P. McManus-owned double in the next race, when successful in the Grade 2 Hanlon EBF Glencarraig Lady Mares Chase.

In the hands of the week’s leading rider, Mark Walsh, Dinoblue’s biggest danger was her stable companion, Allegorie De Vassy (100/30), with Paul Townend in the saddle.

Ultimately the Willie Muillins-trained pair entered the straight in front, before Dinoblue took command to defeat her stable companion by 35 lengths.

Brides Hill (9/2) and Keith Donoghue were the only other finishers in the four-runner contest.

Casheldale Lad (13/2) gave Gordon Elliott a second winner of Punchestown 2025, when winning the Uniquely Novice Hurdle.

It was a first winner of the week for Noel and Valerie Moran’s Bective Stud, with the winner ridden by Jordan Gainford.

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Runner-up to Bob Olinger in the Stayers’ Hurdle at this year’s Cheltenham Festival, the Robcour-owned son of Masked Marvel returned to the number one spot this afternoon.

It was a welcome winner for trainer Gordon Elliott, who had been close a number of times this week, without claiming a winner.

The eight-year-old tracked the leaders before making a move two out. He was soon ridden by Sam Ewing and asked for his effort. The popular French-bred gelding moved into the lead and wasn’t for catching.

Asterion Forlonge (18/1), who raced towards the rear for much of the contest made his move up the rail under Paul Towend. The Joe and Marie Donnelly-owned grey claimed the runner-up spot, four and a quarter lengths behind the winner.

It was announced after the race that the seven-time winner had run his last race and the 11-year-old is now being retired.

Jessica Harrington’s Jetara (6/1) kept on for third place without ever threatening the first two that crossed the finishing line.

“A star of a horse”

A relieved Gordon Elliott, who was winning his first race of the week, admitted:

“This horse has got me out of trouble a few times and he’s done it again. He’s a star of a horse. I was panicking turning in to be honest.

“He’s so laidback at home and you nearly start questioning yourself, ‘Is he a bit heavy going around the ring?’ Sam gave him a no-nonsense ride and kept it very straightforward.”

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In the colours of J.P. McManus, the Mark Walsh-ridden gelding was a sixth winner of the week for the owner and a third for the jockey.

Last seen in the Arkle Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, Majborough’s jumping was better this time, though he jumped noticeably to his left at the final two fences in the straight.

The Willie Mullins-trained son of Martinborough ran out an easy 14 length winner from Gavin Cromwell’s Only By Night (5/1), with Keith Donoghue in the saddle.

The runner-up prize money saw Cromwell surpass the €2 million mark for the first time in his relatively short training career.

Noel Meade’s Jesse Evans (40/1), ridden by Donogh Meyler, was third past the post, a further half a length behind the runner-up.

The winning jockey, Mark Walsh, who is currently joint-leading rider at this year’s Punchestown Festival alongside J.J. Slevin, said of Majborough post-race:

“He has some engine. He always jumps a little bit left but he’s never jumped that badly left. It’s the first time he’s went that badly left going right-handed. If you could just iron them out he has some ability, some engine.

“He’s only five and hopefully he’ll mature this summer. I’m looking forward to what he could mature into over the next 18 months or two years.”

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The other Grade 1 contest of the day, the Barberstwon Castle Novice Chase saw Willie Mullins add to his haul at the highest level through Majborough.

Two wins for J.P. McManus

Petit Tonnerre (16/1) and Richie McLernon gave J.P. McManus another Punchestown 2025 winner. The seven-year-old is trained by A.J. and Jonjo O’Neill, and maintained the successful record of British-based winners so far this week at the County Kildare venue.

Later in the afternoon, McManus completed a double when Jeriko Du Reponet (13/2 joint-favourite) won the Listed Conway Piling Handicap Hurdle for James Bowen.

The French-bred, runner-up to Doddiethegreat (14/1) at Cheltenham last month, reversed placings this time time around as the Brian Hughes-ridden runner-up completed a 1-2 for Seven Barrows.

Busselton wins La Touche

At the end of four miles one furlong and 11 yards, the Mongey Communications La Touche Cup Cross Country Chase produced a thrilling finishing.

With numerous horses in contention for the historic prize entering the home straight, the Joseph O’Brien-trained Busselton (7/1), and jockey J.J. Slevin, out-battled Desertmore House (9/1) and Ricky Doyle by three-quarters of a length to win.

Three By Two (11/1) and Richie Deegan were only a neck further back in third, with nine lengths further back to Vital Island (12/1) and rider Barry Stone.

Doubles for O’Brien and Slevin

O’Brien and Slevin completed a Thursday double with the victory of Cottesloe Sunshine (33/1) in the Listed Close Brothers Irish EBF Mares Novice Hurdle.

Previously successful in two hurdle races, the daughter of Getaway was a three and a half length winner this afternoon over the fast-finishing Mozzie’s Sister (9/1) and Shane Fitzgerald.

The odd-on favourite, Sixandahalf (8/13) could only manage third place, a further length and a quarter back.

The Specialist Group Handicap Hurdle went to the Ray Grehan-owned Putapoundinthejar (17/2).

The gelded son of Walk In The Park, trained in County Meath by Tony Martin, was ridden by recently crowned British Champion Jumps Jockey, Seán Bowen.

The concluding JP & M Doyle INH Flat Race went to the Noel Fehilly Racing Syndicate-owned Baron Noir at 12/1. Trained by Alan King, it ended a successful day for British-trained runners at Punchestown.

Jody McGarvey retires

Coleraine native Jody McGarvey retired from the saddle at Punchestown this afternoon.

The three-time Grade 1-winning rider finished third on his final ride aboard the J.P. McManus-owned Mirazur West (3/1 favourite) in the Frontline Security Handicap Chase.

The Derry jockey said:

“I’ve had my fair share of injuries but I got through it and was able to retire on my own terms.

“I’ve been a lot luckier than a lot of people. I didn’t really want to stop riding but the opportunities were getting thin on the ground. I wanted to go out when I felt I was still riding well and I’ve had a few winners in the last couple of weeks. I’m leaving the game without a chip on my shoulder.”

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The win was the middle part of three Grade 1 wins on the day for champion handler Willie Mullins, having won the first Grade 1 with Jasmin De Vaux and the later Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup with Galopin Des Champs.

With the Ross O’Sullivan-handled Switch For Diesel (11/2) coming to challenge the race favourite in the straight, the Dublin Racing Festival Grade 2 winner had enough in hand to run out a ready two and a quarter length winner.

The Noel Meade-trained Colcannon (11/4) was a further six lengths back in third for Derek O’Connor.

Jody Townend delight

The delighted Cork jockey Jody Townend, who recorded her maiden success at the highest level aboard Redemption Day in this race in 2024, said of her now dual Grade 1-winning partner, Bambino Fever:

“She’s as tough as nails. She was nearly doing too much with me the whole way today and she galloped right through the line. She has pace as well. She has it all… she’s a gem.

“She shows up every day. For a mare to do that, she’s won four all year and she’s going on a well deserved holiday now.”

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Carrying the double green silks of Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, the French-bred was a first winner at this year’s festival for jockey Paul Townend, when taking the Channor Real Estate Group Novice Hurdle.

In what looked like a clash between the Grade 1 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle winner from the Cheltenham Festival and the Grade 1 Turners’ Mersey Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree, Honesty Policy (5/2), the latter kept on well in the dying stages of the race to win.

Though Jasmin De Vaux bumped the Gordon Elliott-trained runner in the run-in, the Closutton-handled runner had a half length in hand at the line in the Channon Real Estate Group Novice Hurdle.

Andy Slattery’s Fleur In The Park (17/2) was a further six lengths behind in third, under rider Cian Quirke.

It was relief for winning jockey Paul Townend, who lost his irons in the home straight, to finally visit the winner’s enclosure at this year’s Punchestown Festival.

“Always good to get one on the board,” the Lisgoold rider admitted. “You’d have hoped for one yesterday with good rides. We’d to wait a while today to get it and I nearly threw that one away as well!”

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The Closutton trainer’s winners included the three Grade 1 races on the card.

Kaid D’Authie (9/4 favourite) and Mark Walsh was the first Mullins winner on Wednesday. The J.P. McManus-owned French-bred won the Louis Fitzgerald Hurdle by three and a half lengths.

Kaid D’Authie had pulled up on his most recent racetrack appearance, in the Grade 1 Turners’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last month.

Three Grade 1 victories

In the first Grade 1 of the afternoon, Jasmin De Vaux (13/8 favourite) brought up the Closutton-handled double, and gave stable jockey Paul Townend his first winner of the 2025 Punchestown Festival.

The next Grade 1 on the card was a win for Townend’s sister, Jody, as Bambino Fever (11/8 favourite) completed the Cheltenham-Punchestown champion bumper double.

Galopin Des Champs (5/6 favourite) was most impressive – a 22 length winner – in the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup. The son of Timos was a fourth winner on the card for Team Mullins.

James Du Berlais (7/1) and J.J. Slevin completed the Willie Mullins five-timer with success in the Grade 3 Colm Quinn BMW Handicap Chase.

Crucial winner for John Shinnick 

Glanworth, Co Cork jockey John Shinnick closed the gap in his quest for the conditional jockeys’ championship with success on 9/1 chance Thisistheway.

Owned and trained by the Lattas in Wexford, the daughter of Doyen was a length and a quarter victor over the fast finishing Littlefoot (80/1) and Conor Stone-Walsh.

The Tom Mullins-trained, Danny Mullins-ridden Coral River (6/1) was a further three lengths back in third.

Shinnick is now only one winner behind leader Tiernan Power Roche in his bid to succeed Danny Gilligan as champion conditional rider come Saturday afternoon.

British-trained winner

David Pipe continued the success of the British trainers as he won the Adare Manor Opportunity Series Final Handicap Hurdle with Thanksforthehelp (14/1).

Carrying the colours of the race sponsor, J.P. McManus, the Gavin Brouder-ridden eight-year-old grey came late to claim a two and a half-length success from race favourite Ballysax Hank (5/1), with a further three and a quarter lengths back to Stay Gold (20/1) in third.

The Declan Queally-trained and ridden Carrigmornaspruce (11/2) took the concluding Grade 3 Weatherbys GSB EBF (Mares) IMH Flat Race.

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A winner at the Cheltenham Festival last March, the Barry Connell-owned and trained gelding, the son of French Navy ran out a seven-length winner over former Cheltenham Champion Chase winner, Captain Guinness (28/1).

The Rachael Blackmore-ridden runner-up was four and a quarter lengths ahead of Solness (11/1) in third.

Marine Nationale, who won the Champion Chase at Prestbury Park in March, becomes the first horse to complete the 2025 Cheltenham-Punchestown double.

A delighted winning owner and trainer, Barry Connell, said of his winner:

“He won doing a half-speed and I think this horse has all the attributes to be a multiple Champion Chase winner going forward.

“Our target is to win three (at Cheltenham) and equal Badsworth Boy, who is the only horse in history to win three Champion Chases despite all the storied horses over the years.

“He’s only eight. That’s his 12^th run. No mileage on the clock so he can go back next year, nine and ten, and he grows an extra leg at Cheltenham. He’s just so laidback, goes through the gears, does enough, doesn’t burn any extra petrol than what he needs.”

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