6:10 Well that's the end of day three of the festival and still two days to go. However it is my last day here as I am off to Sandown tomorrow.
At least travelling to Sandown will be easier. Having said that Punchestown has the best atmosphere of any of the festivals and, next year, I think I will do all five days.
6:05 Another fast, exciting finish, although this time the leader managed to hold off the late challenger.
The Noel Mead trained Go Native held off a very strong late challenge from Lord Over with another fast finisher, Kenlon, taking third place.
5:55 Just the bumper left today - only a few runners!!!
5:35 Rare Bob took on the front running role this time and, of course, he was beaten.
Also true to form the race did not develop until the home turn.
It was actually quite an exciting finish with Hidden Agent under Philip Carberry grabbing victory in the final strides, denying 33/1 shot Gusda who had taken up the running in the home straight.
Silent Creek was the third placed long shot at 25’s whilst the favourite Drumconvis took fourth.
One of the best backed horses of the day, the Paul Nolan trained Ardalan – from 11/1 down to 6’s – disappointed and only briefly looked to be in contention turning out of the back straight.
5:00 Kerryhead Windfarm set the early pace, although to be honest it was a solo run as the others were happy to go a more sensible pace.
The main runners were more than happy to sit in a bunch.
Passing the judge for the first time Kerryhead Windfarm’s moment of glory had almost come to an end as the field closed.
First to crack was Homer Wells – well tailed off and pulled up just after half way.
Chief Dan George was next to drop back.
Come the home straight the race started in earnest. Refinement under Tony McCoy made what looked to be a decisive challenge between the last two flights. However lurking behind was Blazing Bailey under Robert Thornton, his only ride at the festival.
Come the last the favourite blazed into the lead – winning decisively from last years winner Refinement. Aitmatov, of whom there were questions about him getting the distance, finished a good third.
Venalmar was well fancied but unlike the third did not seem to get the distance.
4:30 The long distance hurdle next - looks as though it should be an interesting race. My heart would like to see Blazing Bailey win but I fear this will be a home victory.
4:20 Course commentator Des Scahill is not having a good call in this one – either that or we are watching a different race and as I was standing about ten feet from him I am assuming we are watching the same one.
Ruby Walsh is carrying on from where he left off at Cheltenham, taking this race with something in hand on Irish Invader. Going some way to atoning his ride in the last.
Medicinal challenged briefly but was beaten before the last.
Final vain challenges came from Callow Lake and Torrid Kentvar.
4:00 I still cannot believe the way the last race was run - I had to watch a replay to make sure I hadn't mis-read it.
Also the rain has finally arrived - not very nice at all.
3:53 One of those races where the complexion changed completely in the final stages.
For most of the race it was two horse race between Perce Rock and J’y Vole under Tony McCoy and Ruby Walsh respectively, They went and a breakneck pace, leaving their rivals standing.
The two top jockeys, on this occasion, got it terribly wrong clearly going off at too fast a pace – still well ahead turning for home the other runners ran them down and it was Big Zeb ridden by Barry Geraghty who came from well off the pace to get the big win he has long promised.
Thyne Again under Davey Russell also came from the rear with another closing run.
I still cannot believe that both McCoy and Walsh so badly misjudged the pace in this race.
No British challenger in this race so it is now 3-3 in the Grade 1’s.
3:20 For a four mile race they set off at quite a pace, set by What Odds.
Interestingly in the conditions, Bagibun slipped and fell at the far turn on the first circuit – very odd.
I have to say watching them cross Ruby’s Double – the big bank – in front of the stands is quite a spectacle.
What Odds led for a circuit and a half before ceding the lead to Oh Jackie with the two favourites emerging from the pack to make it a three horse race.
First to crack was Freneys Well who made a mistake at the second last.
The outsider Oh Jackie fought bravely as Wonderkid snapped at her heels and ultimately she refused to be beaten – to the absolute delight of the bookmakers.
2:45 A race readers nightmare next, 22 runners on the cross country course – unlike at Cheltenham where the cross country is in the centre of the course, the Punchestown course actually does disappear out into the country.
Topweight and morning favourite Garde Champetre is a non-runner. Wonderkid and Freneys Well are the two at the head of the market.
2:40 Taipan’s Way under Ruby Walsh and Horner Wood were the pacesetters in this fast run race.
Turning for home it was Horner Wood who took the lead with Taipan’s Way fading and The Gloves Are Off became the main challenger.
However, lurking behind the front runners was Kalahari King, unleashed with a devastating run – coming so fast he almost ran into the back of the leaders. He showed a clean pair of hoofs to his rivals, with Boulavogue and Peplum running on from the bunch to claim minor honours.
2:20 Day three and a tad more chilly with a very stiff breeze.
The big question mark in the first is how well will Kalahari King run after running at Ayr last weekend?
Horner Woods is the subject of a few whispers here on course.