Rejuvenated Felix Desjy rounds off 21,293-1 Gordon Elliott four-timer

Tuesday: Punchestown

Punchestown in April is supposed to be the playground of Willie Mullins but his great rival Gordon Elliott threw many spanners in the opening-day works with a 21,293-1 four-timer, and no victory probably gave him more pleasure than that of topweight Felix Desjy in the handicap hurdle.

It completed a treble in the opening three races for Cullentra and a double for rider Jack Kennedy as he brought the mercurial French-bred from well off the pace to get up close home and nail the Mullins pair Farout and Tax For Max. Judging by his celebrations passing the line, it gave Kennedy at least a modicum of pleasure too.

Elliott said: "He's been a difficult horse to train but we've been doing a few different things at home with him lately. The last couple of times we've been dropping him in, but when we pulled him out at Fairyhouse last time he saw daylight too early and he stopped, so he waited a bit later today. It was a wonderful ride. I imagine he'll go for the Galway Hurdle."

He added: "Jack is a world-class jockey. He's had a good run for the last few months without injuries and hopefully he can get a clear run next season."

Party on

Before Mighty Potter's Champion Novice Hurdle victory, the Elliott ball was set rolling by the victory of Party Central under Davy Russell in the opening Listed mares' novice hurdle.

The better ground compared to Cheltenham was put forward as one of the principal reasons for the mare rediscovering her best form.

Elliott said: "I'd say she loves that ground and Davy gave her a great ride. He said he was happy the whole way, the one thing you don't want to do is get to the front too soon. The plan was to be upsides at the last but as soon as she got to the front she pulled up.

“We haven't discussed going chasing yet but I can't see why she wouldn't jump a fence. She's a nice mare and I'd say good ground is a big key to her, she just doesn't like real depths of winter heavy ground."

Notions abound

The stable's biggest-priced winner was 25-1 shot Absolute Notions, who registered a debut success in the Goffs Land Rover Bumper under Declan Lavery.

Elliott said: "We haven't done a lot with him, but the few bits we did we liked him. We didn't think we'd done enough to win so I'd say he is nice."

Reflecting on the day, he added: "This time last year I was lying on a beach in Portugal, I'm a lot happier to be here today!"

Crowds down

The opening day crowd of 14,562 was down on the 2019 equivalent of 17,484. "It's not totally unexpected as most of our pre-sales are for later in the week," said PR and communications manager Shona Dreaper.

Lengthy ban

Amateur Harry Sexton, rider of 11th-placed Storm Barra in the concluding bumper was banned for 28 days for varying whip offences. He received seven days for using his whip on the way to the start, and a further 21 during the race for excessive use.

Results, replays and analysis

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