President amongst those enjoying day one of Punchestown

None other than the President of Ireland handed over the trophy to the connections of the big race on day one of the Punchestown 2008 National Hunt Racing festival.

Twist Magic and Natal gave English rider Paul Nicholls a one-two in the Kerrygold Champion Chase

Leading at the second-last, Twist Magic, the 6-4 favourite, held his stable companion off on the run in to win by a length and three-quarters under Kildare jockey Ruby Walsh.

It wasn't only Nicholls who was celebrating after day one. Racecourse manager Dick O' Sullivan reported attendance was marginally up on 12 months ago.

But it was the corporate section that he can be most pleased about, the scale of the business at the Kildare track is now at Ryder Cup proportions.

After accepting the trophy Nicholls also hailed the job done by Ruby Walsh.