Flagship Uberalles wins at Punchestown

Former two-mile champion Flagship Uberalles regained the winning thread in a dramatic renewal of the BMW Chase at Punchestown today.

The Philip Hobbs-trained 8-1 chance, without a win since his victory in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham 13 months ago, was going well enough behind 4-11 favourite and current title holder Moscow Flyer two fences from home.

But the latter looked to be holding all the aces under Barry Geraghty having gone easily to the front four-out.

However, he hit the fence hard and unseated Geraghty to leave Richard Johnson with only the last to negotiate on the JP McManus-owned raider.

They did that safely and came home six lengths clear of Arctic Copper, who stayed on well having helped to make the pace with the other British raider Latalomne, who tired turning for home after a bold front-running effort.

Hobbs said: “Richard said he felt like he was back to his very best.

“He travelled and jumped well all the way round and even if Moscow Flyer hadn’t fallen I can tell you he’d have been staying on right to the line.”

Ruby Walsh’s Punchestown Festival got off to the worst possible start when he suffered a heavy fall in the opening event of the five-day meeting.

The jockey, who has twice been the leading rider at the prestigious fixture, was riding Shady Lad, who took a crashing fall at the first bank fence in the inaugural running of the Kildare Hunt Club Steeplechase.

And after he returned to the weighing room Walsh was stood down for the rest of the day by the racecourse doctor.

The race went to 5-1 chance Native Beat, who was well ridden by Barry Geraghty’s brother, Ross.

The winner had just taken the lead from Clawick Connection at the final fence when that rival fell leaving Native Beat clear to score eased down by 14 lengths.

Walsh, who was already suspended for tomorrow’s card, was found to be suffering from mild concussion and must pass the doctor before he rides on Thursday.

The fences played their part again in the following Ellier Developments Novice Chase.

Strong fancies Barrow Drive and Eskimo Jack both came a cropper during the course of the two-and-a-half-mile contest.

And it was 16-1 outsider Heart Midoltian who took advantage of the situation to record a surprise success over British raider Joly Bey.

The winner is one of just four horses in training with permit-holder Seamus Neville, who was recording his first winner at the course.

“The good ground is the key to this horse,” said the winning trainer.

“We will have to see what the handicapper makes of the win before deciding where we go next but we’d have to consider something like the Galway Plate.”