Protest raises the Roof
The two-mile-two-furlong race lost much of its lustre when Wild Passion was a late withdrawal due to trainer Noel Meade’s concerns over the ground which was described as good to yielding, good in places.
However, Meade was still represented by the 4-5 favourite Rocket Ship and he looked to be travelling well as the four runners headed for home.
Paul Carberry had to get to work after the second-last flight on Meade’s charge but Rooftop Protest, who had always been in the front-rank, had plenty left in the tank.
Conditional rider David Flannery kicked on coming to the last and eased away to win in fine style by 12 lengths.
Master Albert, the 7-1 outsider, stayed on for second with Rocket Ship in third.
Rooftop Protest won at Market Rasen last month before finishing down the field in the Irish Cesarewitch on the Flat last time.
Trainer Tom Hogan said: “It’s nice to find a Listed race where the favourite didn’t stay and the other two weren’t fit.
“If there was a special Olympics for horses he would win a gold medal as one of his pasterns is an inch and a half longer than the other.
“He has a heart as big as a lion though.
“He’s won a lot more than we ever thought we could with him but there are no plans. He may jump a fence next season.”
Meade was disappointed to have had to pull out Wild Passion as he was looking to give the horse a good workout ahead of a planned novice chasing campaign.
“I was worried with Wild Passion being such a big, heavy horse. I walked out and just thought it was plenty quick enough,” he said.
“Maybe I am being a bit too cautious but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Justified was slashed for next year's Arkle Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival after a facile success in the Listed Total Events Rental Novice Chase.
Eamonn Sheehy’s charge was sent off the 11-10 favourite for his fencing bow after a successful novice hurdling campaign last season, and he impressed as he came home nine lengths clear of Doctor Linton.
“The pressure is off now,” Sheehy said. “I was delighted with his jumping and the Irish Arkle at Leopardstown would be his main target in the first part of the season. But he will run somewhere between now and then.
“He went to Con Power (ex-showjumper) for 10 days and he has done a marvellous job with his jumping.
“He doesn’t always need it soft as Shay Barry said the chase track today is quick.”
Cashmans make Justified 6-1 joint-favourite for the Festival event along with Accordion Etoile, while Paddy Power go a top-priced 10/1.
Justified was the second leg of a double for Shay Barry, who returned recently after a lengthy absence stretching back to the May meeting in Killarney after which he underwent major knee surgery. He had triumphed earlier on the Liam O'Brien-trained 25/1 shot Heronstown in the Visit The Panoramic Restaurant Handicap Hurdle.
The Looney Bishop, trained near Mallow by Tom Nagle, and Noel Meade's uneasy favourite Corrigeenroe dominated the latter stages of the Punchestown 2006 Annual Membership Maiden Hurdle.
Victory went to The Looney Bishop, which stayed on strongly under Joey Elliott to see off his only serious challenger. Nagle said: “He's tough and stays galloping. Joey said he was very green and was never really travelling until he went to the front”.
“The lads (the Looney Bishop Syndicate) all live in England or Wales, so we could be travelling with him. And three miles won't be a problem.”
Ruby Walsh, who endured a frustrating day at Exeter on Tuesday when riding four seconds, was seen at his strongest on Frances Crowley's Kells Castle in the opening three-year-old hurdle.
The winning trainer explained “He's very tough but needs a strong ride. Pat (husband Pat Smullen) was the only one to get a tune out of him on the flat.
“He was green and jumped slowly the last day. But Ruby got the best out of him.”
The Joanna Morgan-trained debutante Saddlerruppat, ridden by Donie Fahy, recorded a shock win in the bumper, stretching clear in the straight to record a facile win at odds of 33/1 (almost 108/1 on the Tote).
Edward O'Grady saddled the first two home in the www.punchestown.com Handicap Chase, victory going to the Barry Geraghty-ridden Mamouna Gale over top-weight Colonel Monroe, which made a crucial mistake at the second last fence.
Jockey Robbie Dunne was suspended for ten days for attempting to weigh-out for the opener with a defective back-protector.
