'He deserved to get his head in front' - O'Brien hails consistent Midnight Run

Saturday: Punchestown

Vintage was hardly the description of this year's Grade 2 Oak Lodge Landscapes Craddockstown Novice Chase, but it did provide a good opportunity for something, and the one to take advantage was the Joseph O'Brien trained Midnight Run.

He failed to win in seven attempts over fences stretching back over a year, but had never been disgraced in better company.

Bryan Cooper was positive on him with a no-nonsense ride, going to the front early and striding clear from three out to win by nine lengths from Mars Harper.

"In fairness, he turned up and ran his race in all those Graded races for the last couple of years, and he deserved to get his head in front," said O'Brien.

"Bryan said it was as good as he'd ever felt in his jumping because he was inclined to make the odd mistake, but Bryan really used his experience. He'll mix it with Graded races and nice handicaps wherever the ground is not heavy."

Elliott four-timer

It was another day to eulogise the form of Gordon Elliott's horses as a four-timer on the day took his seasonal tally in Ireland to 100 winners.

The highlight was the performance of Bective Stud's Queens Brook in the Listed Frontline Security Grabel Mares Hurdle, which was also the centrepiece of a treble for championship leader Jack Kennedy.

The mare dominated a race which became a match between her and 2021 Coral Cup winner Heaven Help Us, with Elliott's charge winning decisively by six lengths.

"I just can't get her fit, just look at the size of her," said Elliott. "We were caught between a rock and a hard place between her not being fit and wanting further, but I said to Jack to make plenty of use of her and hopefully her class would come out. It was a good performance."

Victories of the unbeaten Absolute Notions in the 2m3f maiden hurdle, the rapidly improving Jungle Prose in the 3m handicap hurdle, and the Jamie Codd-ridden Caldwell Potter in the bumper concluded another memorable day for the Cullentra House yard.

Kilcruit impresses

After Journey With Me was pulled out of the opening beginners' chase, it was a simple task for Grade 1 bumper winner Kilcruit, who won impressively.

Pacesetting outsider Willywampus kept him honest for as long as he could, but the favourite's class shone through as did the quality of his jumping.

Rider Paul Townend said: "He showed a lovely attitude towards his fences and he took them on really well. He had a good blow and he'll come on. I loved the way he was looking for his next fence and hopefully this will be his year."

Results, replays and analysis

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