Galileo strikes Guineas gold for Frankie Dettori and Hugo Palmer

The tears of joy may have been held back, but the raw emotion was still clear for all to see as Galileo Gold delivered Hugo Palmer a landmark first British Classic success in the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.

Although Palmer was absent on his honeymoon when Galileo Gold won last year's Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, the Newmarket handler held a prime viewing position on this occasion as the son Paco Boy repaid the faith long shown in him under a masterful ride by Frankie Dettori.

Having enjoyed a resurgent season last year, Dettori showed he is still riding at the top of his game after using all of his tactical awareness to position the 14-1 shot close to the early pace set by First Selection in the Group One contest.

As the contest began to unravel, it soon became evident that odds-on favourite Air Force Blue would not be giving his trainer Aidan O'Brien a record eighth win in the race as Ryan Moore was shoving his mount along over two furlongs out before trailing home second last.

At the other end of the field, Dettori played his hand aboard the Al Shaqab Racing-owned Galileo Gold, making a crucial switch from the centre of the track to bag the stands side rail and take up a lead he was to hold onto until the finish.

While Massaat tried to muster a late charge, it was an effort that was to amount to little as Galileo Gold showed no signs of stopping, scoring by a length and a half to give Dettori his third victory in the race, 20 years on from his first aboard Mark Of Esteem.

Palmer said: "Frankie was so alert, he said nothing had been coming from behind and that if nothing took us on, he would do it himself and he did.

"There were no hard luck stories, for us anyway. It was a masterful ride.

"He had a very willing partner and I feel so lucky to have him.

"When you come to a race like this you have to have confidence, if not you may as well go somewhere else. If I was going to come here, I was going to believe in it.

"I've never believed in a horse quite like I believe in this one.

"I don't know what makes him different, he just keeps getting better. He's quirky, we have to work with him, not against him, but he's rewarded us.

"The original plan was to go to the French Guineas as often you get very fast ground here.

"Like Muhammed Ali saying 'I'm the greatest', a good horse believes that. Anyone who listened to me talk about the horse over the last three weeks got a sense of the belief building in the yard."

Despite being introduced at 8-1 for the Investec Derby by William Hill, and Paddy Power trimming him into 12-1 from 33-1 for the same race along with introducing him as 2-1 favourite for the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, Palmer was undecided as to what Galileo Gold's next target might be.

He added: "It looked like he stayed a mile best of those he beat today, but I don't think any of those were prominent in the Derby market.

"I don't know about the Derby. He's out of a mare by Galileo, but Paco Boy was a miler. However, he's from the family of Montjeu so I don't know.

"He's got an entry in the French Derby and the St James's Palace and Irish Guineas. We'll let the dust settle - I'll probably feel human again by Wednesday.

"They always say that the Guineas is the best Derby trial."

As for Owen Burrows, trainer of runner-up Massaat, he believes that the son of Teofilo will get further in time.

He said: "I'm very pleased, he's run a blinder, there are no excuses.

"It would just be nice to get rid of seconditis as I've had seven out of 10 now, but I can't be disappointed with second in a Guineas.

"Paul (Hanagan) said he'll get a mile and a quarter, but we'll have a chat with the team and make a plan for the rest of the season.

"Two out he thought it would take a good one to pass him, but one did."

APPLE'S JADE MAKES IT A GRADE ONE DOUBLE AT PUNCHESTOWN

Apple's Jade completed her Grade One double as she ran out an impressive winner of the AES Champion Four Year Old Hurdle at Punchestown.

Willie Mullins' charge finished second to Ivanovich Gorbatov in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham in March but then reversed that form in comprehensive style when seeing off that rival by 41 lengths at Aintree earlier this month.

She was sent off the 8-13 favourite to beat her old adversary again here and it looked set to be another battle between the pair as they kicked clear of the rest of the field.

However, Cooper was merely lobbing along in front and when he gave the signal, Apple's Jade pushed on again and eventually came home nine lengths clear.

Ivanovich Gorbatov tired in the dying strides allowing another Mullins runner, Let's Dance, to snatch second in the shadow of the post.

Apple's Jade is an 8-1 shot from 14s with Paddy Power for next year's Champion Hurdle and Mullins admits she is certainly an above-average recruit.

He said: "She had a very hard race in Aintree and I wondered if it would impact on her today. We let her take her chance as it's the end of the season.

"She looks very, very good. She won at Christmas but then we had an awful time as she was stiff and sore and we couldn't train her.

"She came back at Cheltenham and that put her right as she flew in at Aintree.

"I'd say we will leave it at that. There is a chance she could go to France for the Prix du Breil but we'll have to see."

HARRY FRY'S FLETCHERS FLIES HOME FOR MARATHON SUCCESS

Fletchers Flyer proved stamina is his forte when grinding out success in the marathon Madra Irish Dog Foods Handicap Chase.

Harry Fry's British raider remained a novice over fences after a winless campaign up until now, but travelled smoothly in the front rank under Noel Fehily.

The 13-2 chance took up the running a long way out in the three-mile-six-furlong test and though favourite Forever Gold gave chase in the straight, he could not get to the winner, who was two and a half lengths clear at the line.

Sizing Coal took third, while Folsom Blue was fourth.

Fry said: "Everything went foot perfect. He jumped for fun, and it all went right to plan the whole way. Noel was fantastic on him.

"It's great for the Masterson family who are delighted, and they've been great supporters of mine from the start.

"After his last gallop I've never known Noel to be as excited about one.

"He's a novice all next season, and it's possible he could go for the four-miler at Cheltenham and then go for a National."

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WHITEOUT HOLDS LIMINI FOR SURPRISE PUNCHESTOWN VICTORY

Whiteout produced a cracking performance from the front to land the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Champion Hurdle at Punchestown.

The 16-1 chance was much the lesser-fancied of Willie Mullins' duo behind favourite Limini, but after winning out the battle for the lead with Keppols Queen at the second last, she charged ahead under Paul Townend.

Limini scythed through the field to be the main danger approaching the last, but Whiteout had already flown, going on to score readily by four and three-quarter lengths.

Mullins felt a change in tactics had benefitedhttp://www.attheraces.com/results Whiteout and he believes she is capable of winning on the level too.

He said: "Paul gave her a game ride from the front. We decided to change tactics today and it paid off. She likes this track and jumped really well.

"I booked her to visit Shantou during the week. She is entered in the Chester Cup but won't go there now. I think there is a good flat handicap left in her though.

"Limini didn't jump well enough."  

===>>> results

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LIMINI SIGHTS SET ON MARES CHAMPION PRIZE AT PUNCHESTOWN

Cheltenham Festival heroine Limini goes back against her own sex in a bid to regain winning ways in Saturday's Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Mares Champion Hurdle.

The Willie Mullins-trained five-year-old was considered one of the bankers of the week at Prestbury Park last month and did not let her supporters down with a most impressive display in the inaugural Trull House Stud Mares' Novices' Hurdle.

She was then favourite to beat the boys in the Top Novices' Hurdle at Aintree, but had to make do with minor honours behind Buveur D'Air and Petit Mouchoir.

While there was no disgrace in that performance, Patrick Mullins, assistant to his father, feels Limini did not run up to her best on Merseyside.

"We were a little disappointed in Aintree. It was a big step up from a mares' novice race to taking on the geldings, but we thought she'd be well able for it," Mullins told At The Races.

"Two down, if you stopped it, it looked like everything was going to plan. Perhaps she didn't run to form - Ruby (Walsh) thought she was a little keen.

"A Flat campaign is possibly the plan for her as well. She shows an awful lot of speed."

Limini faces eight rivals as she bids to follow in the hoofprints of esteemed stable companion Annie Power, who has landed this prize for the last two years.

Mullins also saddles outsider Whiteout, while Jessica Harrington fires two bullets with Cheltenham runner-up Rock On The Moor joined by Keppols Queen.

Aidan O'Brien's Slowmotion suffered a short-priced defeat on her Irish debut at Limerick last month, but righted that wrong in some style at Fairyhouse.

Frank Berry, racing manager to owner JP McManus, said: " She came on for the first day and won nicely at Fairyhouse.

"We're happy with her and she'll like the better ground. We're hoping for the best. "

Jennies Jewel, runner-up in Thursday's Champion Stayers Hurdle, has been declared to run again by Jarlath Fahey.

Stuart Crawford's Legacy Gold and a pair of British raiders in Neil Mulholland's Pass The Time and the Rebecca Curtis-trained Aurore D'Estruval complete the field.

FRINGE A CUT ABOVE AT PUNCHESTOWN ONCE MORE

On The Fringe brilliantly completed the Cheltenham-Aintree-Punchestown treble for a second consecutive year in the Racing Post Champion Hunters Chase.

The prolific 11-year-old, trained by Enda Bolger, was sent off the 4-5 favourite to land this prize for a remarkable fifth time and duly delivered under Nina Carberry.

On The Fringe glided into the lead three fences from home and though Marito made up stacks of late ground, Carberry's mount was in the clear.

Two lengths separated the front two as Carberry saluted a jubilant Punchestown grandstand.

The jockey said: "He's some horse, he's just unbelievable. He's all heart and Enda had him in some form. He's a horse of a lifetime. He's the people's horse."

An "emotional" Bolger was quick to highlight the role of JT McNamara, the former jockey left paralysed by a fall at the 2013 Cheltenham Festival, in the On The Fringe success story.

McManara rode the horse seven times and twice won the Champion Hunters Chase.

Bolger said: "I'm a bit emotional as I always think of John Thomas (JT McNamara).

"He's just a brilliant horse to have around. He's a special horse for us. This is the one the pressure was on, but we knew he was bouncing and everyone worked hard to get him here.

"Him and Nina have a great rapport. She knows what to do and they trust each other. His jumping was faultless. Let's party now!"

Rising star Jack Kennedy secured a second winner of the Festival as Definite Ruby prevailed in a thrilling finish to the Hanlon Concrete EBF Glencarraig Lady Mares Handicap Chase.

Still able to claim 3lb, Kennedy is about to be crowned champion conditional and has made huge strides in the past 12 months.

He was aware to the fact Carberry was trying to steal the race from the front on Emily Gray and did not let her get too far clear down the back straight.

Taking up the running at the second-last it appeared Definite Ruby (8-1) would coast to victory, but Padraig's Joy stayed on strongly and only went down by half a length.

Kennedy said: "I can't believe I'm going to be champion conditional, and I'd like to thank all the owners and trainers I've ridden for."

Elliott said: "She had a nice, light weight and Jack have her a great ride. She liked the bit better ground and she'll keep going."

Jamie Codd was seen to excellent effect in the Racing FX Flat Race, getting the Philip Hobbs-trained No Comment (7-2) home in front after a ding-dong tussle with Monalee.

"JP (McManus) was kind enough to send him to us in the autumn," said Hobbs.

"He was second in a bumper at Ludlow to a horse of Nicky Henderson's who he felt was good enough to go to Cheltenham afterwards. Then he was a good second over hurdles.

"I think Jamie was more confident than I was. It was important not to hit the front too early as he's green. He'll go straight down to Martinstown now for his summer holidays."

Codd said: "The better ground helped. He has a lovely attitude and settled brilliantly."

GAVIN CROMWELL JOY AS JER'S GIRL HAS THE POWER AT PUNCHESTOWN

Jer's Girl gave Barry Geraghty and JP McManus a third Grade One success of the week with victory in the Tattersalls Ireland Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown.

Trained by the up-and-coming Gavin Cromwell, she was bidding to follow up on a Grade One success at Fairyhouse against her own sex and was sent off the 11-8 favourite in receipt of weight from all of the field.

Ruby Walsh attempted to make all of the running on Thomas Hobson, with Geraghty sat just on his tail, but the latter always looked confident on the diminutive mare.

She sprinted clear in the straight to win by 10 lengths from Nicky Henderson's O O Seven, who stayed on past Thomas Hobson for second.

Geraghty said: "She had a grab at the first - I suppose she's done all her racing on softer ground and this was a bit quicker - and she was brilliant after that.

"She was having a long look at the last and I chased her up to it because I didn't want to let the revs drop. She just put in a short one but was clever.

"She's a lovely mare and Gavin has done brilliantly with her.

"There's improvement to come and she seemed to enjoy that ground."

Cromwell said: "She was very good and Barry said she loved the ground.

"I was certain she had improved from Fairyhouse. She had strengthened and come in her coat.

"It was a bit of a step into the unknown against the geldings, even though she was getting the weight allowances, but she's all heart.

"I don't know what the plans are now. I'll have to talk to Frank (Berry, owner's racing manager) and JP (McManus).

"She stays two and a half miles and will get three in time so I'd say she'll go up in trip."

JACK KENNEDY DAZZLES ABOARD PUNCHESTOWN WINNER DEFINITE RUBY

Rising star Jack Kennedy secured a second winner of the Punchestown Festival as Definite Ruby prevailed in a thrilling finish to the Hanlon Concrete EBF Glencarraig Lady Mares Handicap Chase.

Still able to claim 3lb, Kennedy is about to be crowned champion conditional and has made huge strides in the past 12 months.

He was aware to the fact Nina Carberry was trying to steal the race from the front on Emily Gray and did not let her get too far clear down the back straight.

Taking up the running at the second-last it appeared Definite Ruby (8-1) would coast to victory, but Padraig's Joy stayed on strongly and only went down by half a length.

Kennedy said: " I can't believe I'm going to be champion conditional, and I'd like to thank all the owners and trainers I've ridden for."

Elliott said: "She had a nice, light weight and Jack have her a great ride. She liked the bit better ground and s he'll keep going."

SHIN A VEE GLEE AT PUNCHESTOWN FOR DENIS CULLEN

Shin A Vee, a 13-year-old veteran, landed back-to-back runnings of the KFM Hunters Chase at Punchestown.

Not seen since his success in the same contest 12 months previously, Denis Cullen's old-timer was primed to the minute.

Johnny Barry was never far from the pace and a spring-heeled leap at the final fence sealed a five-and-a-half-length win for the 2-1 favourite over Enniskillen.

Cullen said: "He won well last year but I thought he was better this year and really up for it. We knew he was in good form and pretty fit.

"He's 13 now and obviously it's a concern coming here as he's a year older and with a 5lb penalty but in fairness to him he came back in better nick.

"It was the same as last year. We had one day in mind and it worked last year.

"He's a horse that works well at home and you can get enough into him."

All options open next year to dazzling Douvan after festival hat-trick

A clash with Sprinter Sacre or a path that leads to the Gold Cup feature on the fascinating list of options for Douvan after he rounded off his spectacular season with another faultless display, this time in the Ryanair Novice Chase at Punchestown.

Unbeaten in nine previous starts since joining Willie Mullins, the brilliant six-year-old was the 2-9 favourite to add to his recent big-race victories in the Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham and the Maghull Novices' Chase at Aintree.

Those who took the prohibitive odds might have been concerned before the off, with Douvan more on his toes than in the past, perhaps feeling the effects of a long campaign, but it was business as usual for Ruby Walsh once the tapes went up.

Old rival Sizing John was initially sent to the lead, but a prodigious leap at the first fence sent the odds-on favourite to the front and he never looked back.

The Game Changer moved strongly into the home straight, but Douvan was hardly in danger of being caught and winged the final obstacle to seal an 11-length verdict.

Walsh said: "Willie doesn't talk things up unnecessarily and he's always talked this horse up. He's loads of speed, he's a very, very accurate jumper. I suppose like all the good two-milers I've ridden in the past he doesn't arch his back. He's a dream to ride - I'm sure he's a pleasure to own."

Mullins said: "To do what he did coming back from the other festivals, very few horses can do that - and he did it in style.

"Even with the heavy schedule he's had this spring that was a good performance and if you didn't know that he'd run you'd say he was a fresh horse the way he galloped away from them. He jumped fantastically. Ruby let him pop a few and then asked him over the last two.

"The question is do we try and take on Sprinter Sacre next year? The Champion Chase looks the obvious one, but he could be a Gold Cup horse. I don't think he'll have any problem staying the way he pops away and that's what you need in a Gold Cup horse.

"He could go down the Gold Cup route, but Rich (Ricci, owner) has a few Gold Cup horses. He could do anything, but I'd imagine the Champion Chase is the most likely.

"It's grass for him now and he'll come back next season. He's a big, immature horse still and has a huge, big frame. He could strengthen again over the summer, but we're just hoping he stays sound.

"What we saw in the finish today is what he does every day at home with Gail (Carlisle) riding him. Against any sort of opposition he canters up and quickens away from them."

Ricci appeared keen to potentially tackle longer distances at some stage.

He said: "He's something else, I told Patrick (Mullins) I was worried before the race started but he said 'sit back and enjoy it, he's in great nick'. He's on his toes sometimes, but I've never seen him like that. But anyway he was brilliant.

"I only watched the last couple (of fences), but he seemed to be travelling well from what I was listening to and it was never in doubt really. He's so effortless. He gets over his fences so quickly, he's away from a fence very quickly.

"It will be interesting to see what happens next year. He's earned his summer off, that's for sure. I wouldn't mind stepping up in trip to see what he can do, but we'll talk about that over the summer.

"As always we'll have plenty of options, but I think he's a horse you'd probably want to try and step up in trip. He's quick enough for two miles, obviously, but he's so big and so effortless, we might step up to two and a half miles and see how he gets on. He could be a King George horse - he could be anything."

AUGUSTA KATE HAS LEE WESTWOOD AND ALAN SHEARER CELEBRATING PUNCHESTOWN GLORY

Augusta Kate struck gold for her celebrity owners in the concluding race on day two of the Punchestown Festival.

The Willie Mullins-trained mare carries the colours of the Masters Syndicate which includes l eading owner Graham Wylie, former England international footballer Alan Shearer, golfer Lee Westwood and TV personalities Ant and Dec.

Augusta Kate made a big impression in winning her first two starts before finishing seventh against geldings in the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival.

She was narrowly denied back against her own sex at Aintree and was sent off at 100-30 for the Weatherbys Ireland E.B.F. Mares Flat Race.

Patrick Mullins positioned the five-year-old close to the pace throughout while The Nipper cut out the early running.

There was a dramatic twist heading down the back straight as The Nipper, who had showed signs of waywardness when winning at Sandown last month, ran off the track and unseated Nina Carberry.

The well-backed Forge Meadow led into the home straight, travelling well, but Augusta Kate mowed her down and got up to score by three lengths.

The winner's stable companion, Glens Harmony, was third.

It was a second winner on the day for the winning jockey and a third winner for the champion trainer.

Mullins junior said: "That was fantastic. This mare is tough as teak.

"For a mare to go to Cheltenham, Aintree and Punchestown is very tough and Steph (Searle) who looks after her does a fantastic job.

"It's great to get a winner here and to have two is very special.

"It's fantastic for her owners. Lee Westwood was down in the yard this morning and is a lovely fellow. I t's just a pity Alan Shearer isn't here, I'd like to meet him!

"She's not the biggest - I just about squeeze on to her - but it just shows you, it's the size of the heart that counts."

Mullins senior added: "She got a hard race in Aintree and we thought she was in season today. It obviously didn't bother her and once she gets out on that grass, she's a different mare. I don't know why she doesn't do it at home.

"She will go hurdling next season and her main target will be the mares' novice hurdle at Cheltenham. Hopefully she will be good enough to go for the mares' hurdle the following season.

"Glens Harmony ran well in third, and is one to look forward to. She has a lot of maturing to do but has the potential to try and emulate her sister Glens Melody, who won the mares' hurdle in Cheltenham last year."

BLOW BY BLOW MAKES IT A FIRST GRADE ONE SUCCESS FOR KATIE WALSH AT PUNCHESTOWN

Blow By Blow made virtually every yard of the running under Katie Walsh for a famous success in the Attheraces.com Champion INH Flat Race at Punchestown.

A winner at Navan in February and Fairyhouse in March, the Gigginstown House Stud-owned gelding was one of four runners fielded by Willie Mullins in a bid to win the Grade One prize for a fifth time in the last six years.

Walsh, who came in for the ride after stable companion Battleford was declared a non-runner, sent her mount straight to the lead and gradually wound up the gallop.

David Pipe's British raider Moon Racer (2-1 favourite), not seen since winning the Champion Bumper at last year's Cheltenham Festival, came from the rear of the field to mount his challenge in the straight, but Blow By Blow was not for passing and held on by three-quarters of a length.

Aintree winner Bacardys finished third, ahead of the strong-finishing Very Much So in fourth.

Walsh said: "I was meant to ride Battleford who was second at Cheltenham and second in Aintree, but things got swapped around this morning.

"I was half tempted to ride Very Much So, but Willie told me to ride Blow By Blow and I think he knows more about it than anyone else. I'm delighted to be on the right one.

"He's as tough as nails and I was looking for company. Patrick (Mullins) told me not to be afraid to wind it up.

"It's great to win a Grade One - I've never won before - so I'm massively over the moon."

Mullins said: "It takes a fair stayer to do what he did. I thought they were going a bit quick in front and it looked like Moon Racer came there to win.

"Katie was very good and very strong, and I was surprised to hear that is her first Grade One winner.

"I was happy with all four of runners there. They all seemed to run pretty well to form.

"Blow By Blow is improving and, being a Robin Des Champs, liked that ground. He looks an Albert Bartlett horse for next season and really is every inch a chaser."

BARRY GERAGHTY SALUTES JOHN KIELY AS CARLINGFORD TAKES GOLD AT PUNCHESTOWN

See result  CLICK HERE

Barry Geraghty heaped praise on trainer John Kiely as Carlingford Lough powered home to cause a minor upset in the Bibby Financial Services Ireland Punchestown Gold Cup.

Winner of the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown in February - as he was in 2015 - before finishing a creditable fourth at Cheltenham, Kiely's JP McManus-owned 10-year-old was sent off at 12-1 in a market dominated by the much-loved British challenger Cue Card, trained by Colin Tizzard.

Road To Riches took the field along for much of the three-mile-one-furlong feature and was tracked into the straight by both Gold Cup runner-up Djakadam and Gold Cup third Don Poli.

Cue Card, who suffered a dramatic fall at Cheltenham before bouncing back in brilliant fashion at Aintree, did not travel with his usual panache, and the 4-6 favourite had ground to make up turning for home along with the under-pressure Carlingford Lough.

The complexion of the race changed at the second-last, however, with Road To Riches coming to grief and both Djakadam and Don Poli beginning to falter.

Strong stayer Carlingford Lough made the most of the opportunity, answering Geraghty's every call to join Djakadam for the lead at the final fence before going on to score by four and a half lengths.

Djakadam kept on to fill the runner-up spot, with his stable companion Don Poli just beating Cue Card to third. Happily, Road To Riches appeared to emerge largely unscathed.

Geraghty said: "What a trainer John Kiely is - he's brilliant. He's done an amazing job with this horse to win the Galway Plate, here as a novice, two Gold Cups at Leopardstown and here today. It was a brilliant training performance.

"He (Carlingford Lough) came from the clouds to win in Leopardstown, Mark (Walsh) gave him a brilliant ride.

"He couldn't go the gallop in Cheltenham and he couldn't go the gallop today, but it was just the way he finished out. It was just how long he could sustain that run, but he went all the way to the line."

Kiely said: "I've been coming to Punchestown since 1948, when I was here as a child, and this is a never-again experience in my life. But once is lovely!

"He's the best I've trained and the best I will train. I t's brilliant and it was easier today because he wasn't fancied. Nobody seemed to think much about him, so we were even contemplating whether we should be here. I'd have been delighted to have been placed. I didn't expect to win.

"He's very easy to train. You just keep him well and that's it and almost anybody can ride him. I ride him when I feel like it. He was as well today as he had been for any other race.

"It was a good run in the Gold Cup, but I don't think he loves Cheltenham - maybe being away, he might be a better horse in Ireland, and I think he likes a more level track.

"I'd like to give the credit to Mark Walsh who did most of the schooling on him. We took him to the Curragh for a few bits of work and that has worked. He's been a great servant to me, and is easily kept sound, touch wood. He'll probably have a similar programme next season, and he has that bit of class."

Meanwhile, connections of Cue Card felt it was one run too many at the end of a fine season.

Joe Tizzard, assistant to his father, said: "We didn't think he'd had a hard race at either Cheltenham or Aintree, but it's probably just the end of the season taking its toll. He owes us nothing and he'll be back to fight another day."

Don't Touch It too good as Yorkhill disappoints at Punchestown

Red-hot favourite Yorkhill was bitterly disappointing as Don't Touch It claimed victory in the Herald Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown.

The Willie Mullins-trained Yorkhill was hugely impressive in winning the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle at last month's Cheltenham Festival and having followed up in workmanlike fashion at Aintree, he was a prohibitively priced 4-9 market leader to complete his hat-trick in the first Grade One of the week.

However, the warning signs were evident for odds-on backers a long way out, with Ruby Walsh getting to work before the home turn on his first ride back from injury and Yorkhill eventually finished well beaten in fourth place.

Jessica Harrington's Don't Touch It was settled in last place early on by Barry Geraghty, but moved stylishly into contention.

The 16-1 shot hit the front in the straight and although Yorkhill's stable companion Petit Mouchoir kept him honest after the final flight, Don't Touch It knuckled down to score by half a length.

Brain Power was third for Nicky Henderson.

Geraghty said: "We went a strong gallop and they kind of died around me and I was left in front sooner than ideal.

"He had a look going to the last, but he rallied well and it was a good performance.

"Jessie thought he had a chance and thought it was the right race for him, so it was a good call by her."

Harrington said: "I always felt that better ground would bring out the best in him. He got bogged down the last day and had to miss an intended engagement at Fairyhouse with an infection in his leg. We trained him for here, and he's done us proud.

"It's great when the horses are running well and it can be infectious for the whole yard.

"That was a hell of a step up as he'd only won a maiden hurdle.

"He jumped great off that ground. They went fast in front but he cruised into it and Barry said he got lairy in front, but then went on again when the other horse came to him."

God's Own delivers Champion triumph for George and Brennan at Punchestown

God's Own emerged triumphant after a thrilling climax to the BoyleSports Champion Chase on the opening day of the Punchestown Festival.

Tom George's eight-year-old, a winner at the prestigious meeting two years ago, returned to Ireland following what was widely regarded as a fortuitous win in the Melling Chase at Aintree following the shock fall of the Willie Mullins-trained superstar Vautour.

The pair did battle once more in this two-mile Grade One and Vautour was unsurprisingly a warm order to get back on the winning trail as the 4-9 favourite.

With Special Tiara adopting his customary front-running role, Vautour and God's Own sat in his slipstream, just ahead of the talented but fragile Simonsig.

The leading quartet pulled clear from the home turn and there was little to choose between all four jumping the second-last fence.

God's Own and Simonsig looked set to fight it out over the final obstacle and it was Paddy Brennan's mount who found most for pressure to claim victory by two lengths.

Vautour did stay on late in the day to grab the runner-up spot, with Simonsig running a fantastic race to finish third on his first start since November and his first outing over fences in more than three years.

Brennan said: "For the first mile I had no control and I just let him go, but to be fair he came back then and I filled him up. He was awesome today.

"All credit to Richie Galway (clerk of the course) - the ground out there is probably the nicest ground I've ridden on this year. It's great to ride a big one on my home turf. This is where I'm from and it's a proud day."

George said: "We knew he was going to improve 8lb or so going right-handed on good ground. He'd put up two great performances at Cheltenham and Aintree, but we knew this was going to be his best if we could have him at his best, but obviously it was off the back of two big races.

"He's very much a spring horse and he obviously loves it here, but he isn't too bad around Aintree either. Everyone put it down as a bit of a fluke at Aintree with Vautour falling, but I think we've put it fair and square today."

Vautour's owner Rich Ricci suggested his charge is likely to stick to longer distances next season.

He said: "He looked flat to me. He never had a good cut at his fences all the way round. He stayed on at the end, but I talked to Ruby (Walsh) and he said he just wasn't himself, so it was probably one race too many.

"I would say two and a half (miles) or two-mile-five (furlongs) suits him, that's probably his trip. Maybe (he could go for) the Gold Cup, we'll have to go through the whole rigmarole again."

Walsh added: "He was flat out the whole way over that trip."

Simonsig's trainer Nicky Henderson was understandably proud of his flying grey, and said: "It was a great performance, to be fair.

"It was only the fourth steeplechase of his life and he wouldn't have seen a fence in anger in three years, so it was a good start!

"Barry (Geraghty) thought he had a squeak turning for home, but it (lack of fitness) was bound to tell at the end of the day and it did on the run-in.

"He's still got to learn about jumping fences. The biggest problem is where do we go now? He's very fragile, but all the boys have done brilliantly."