3 minute read

12 times Irish Champion Jockey Ruby Walsh dismounted from winning the Punchestown Gold Cup on Kemboy and announced "That's it".

Walsh who has had an amazing career had decided he would go out after winning a big one, and for an Irish jockey there is no bigger one than the Punchestown Gold Cup.  He defeated stablemate and keen rival Al Boum Photo by 2 lengths.  It was 22 lengths back to the next finisher!

Earlier Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore had got the Cheltenham-Punchestown double with Minella Indo in thre Gr 1 Novice Hurdle, beating Allaho by two lengths.

Thursday's card has several blank spaces for the jockey's name next to the Mullins one.  Currently Paul Townend is listed to ride Barcadys 7/1 in the Champion Stayers' Hurdle over the 4800m test.  That's the same quote as Tizzard's Vision Des Flos, with the Skelton's Aux Ptits Soins on 9/2 and Bapaume - so far no jockey listed - on 9/4.

The Ryanair Novice Chase Gr 1 sees a great clash between Defi Du Seuil and Duc Des Genièvres who won the Arkle - both are on 2/1.  Chacun Pour Soi is another Mullins runner ? jockey, and we have a roughie here - Us And Them from Joseph O'Brien who has 5 seconds from his last 5 runs - he has to break through some time and no question about his consistency.  16/1 currently available.