Footy scores at Punchestown
Footy Facts (9-4) ran out an easy winner of the Kathleen Clarke 80th Birthday Hurdle at snow-swept Punchestown.
The ground was already saturated before a flurry of snow hit after racing got under way.
Willie Mullins’ Glencove Marina, favourite for the Arkle a couple of years ago before injury struck, was sent off the 2-1 jolly but, under a considerate ride from Ruby Walsh, he was just beaten into third by Hardy Eustace.
Dessie Hughes’ veteran was ridden patiently by Paddy Flood compared to his normal front-running tactics but he never looked like winning.
Robert Tyner’s Footy Facts had won over fences last time and relished the extremely testing conditions under Phillip Enright to come home 13 lengths clear of the dual champion hurdler.
