'She looks right out of the top drawer' - Sainte Lucie cut to 12-1 for Triumph and could be next star for the Riccis

It did not take Willie Mullins long to get back in form as Punchestown closed the curtain on the year, and the performance of French import Sainte Lucie in the 2m½f juvenile maiden hurdle was particularly eyecatching.

The daughter of Great Pretender did everything right under Paul Townend on her stable debut, as she produced a really smart turn of foot to go to the front before the second last and eased clear in the straight to win by 11 lengths. Paddy Power reacted by slashing her odds for the Triumph Hurdle to 12-1 (from 33).

Mullins said: "She looks right out of the top drawer. Paul was very happy with her and I loved the way she galloped through that ground. She is bred the right way and clearly loves that easy ground. I imagine we will be going for the top events with her."

Leopardstown target for Bambino

Mullins saddled three seconds on the card, including the gallant defeat of Saint Sam conceding 8lb to Ballyadam in the feature conditions hurdle, but he completed his double with another impressive filly in Bambino Fever in the concluding mares' bumper.

The daughter of Jukebox Jury, a winner of her sole point-to-point, cruised to victory under Patrick Mullins having raced quite keenly for most of the journey. 

The trainer said: "She's very hard on herself so to do that was impressive. She's earned the right to go to the Dublin Racing Festival for the Grade 2 mares' bumper."

Sting in the tail for Gainford

A small but competitive field contested the opening 3m beginners' chase, and the previous experience gained by the Gordon Elliott-trained Shannon Royale proved crucial as he battled on strongly from the second last to see off the challenge of favourite High Class Hero. 

Trainer Gordon Elliott said: "He's a big, honest, galloping type. He's probably more of a handicapper than a Graded horse. He jumped well for most the way and he probably wasn't doing a lot in front."

It would be no surprise to see him line up for a race like the Thyestes Chase or the 3m4f National trial at this venue.

Rider Jordan Gainford earned the wrath of the stewards as he was found to have used his whip excessively. It was his third such offence, and he was issued with an eight-day suspension.

Back on the scoresheet

Kilkenny trainer Paul Hennessy saddled his first winner since Heaven Help Us landed the 2021 Coral Cup when the Niall Prendergast-ridden Falcon Park landed the 2m½f handicap hurdle. 

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