Sizing denies Zest for Life at the posts
Sizing Australia (12-1) denied Enda Bolger’s Zest For Life a second win at the Punchestown Festival by the narrowest of margins in the Irish Field Chase.
Henry De Bromhead’s Sizing Australia looked set for a comfortable victory after seeing off the challenge of Star Neuville but Zest For Life, a winner on Tuesday, got a second wind after the last.
He was closing with every stride but Andrew Lynch managed to keep Sizing Australia up to his work to win by a short head.
“We’ve been hitting the crossbar quite a bit all week so I’m delighted,” said De Bromhead.
“I’m so pleased for the old boy because he’s a warrior, he won at Cheltenham a few years ago.
“I’d better not say what I was thinking halfway up the run-in, but it’s brilliant. It’s such a fine line and it’s great to get a winner here.”
Trainer Richard Lee went close earlier in the week with Gassin Golf but his enterprising spirit paid off when Grey Gold won the Madra Irish Dog Food Novice Chase.
Only three faced the starter as four were taken out in the morning, but his two rivals were still of the highest calibre.
The mercurial Mikael D’Haguenet and the classy Aupcharlie have been faring well in Grade Ones this season but their jumping did not help their cause.
Aupcharlie fell at the last when looking beaten and he nearly brought down his stablemate as Grey Gold (6-1) and Bryan Cooper gained a notable victory.
Lee said: ``We nearly had a winner here on Wednesday and if he had jumped the last better, I thought he'd have won too.
“We came here for the soft ground and he loves it. He’s very inexperienced and it’s only his third run over fences, but I’m proud of the way he jumped and is a credit to my team at home.”
Katie Walsh arrived late on the scene on board Carrig Millie to win the Three Pat Taaffe Handicap Chase.
Wicklow Lad, Irish National winner Liberty Counsel and Wyck Hill all looked to have a chance in the straight as On His Own weakened, but Carrig Millie pounced to win by two and a half lengths from Wicklow Lad with David Bridgwater’s Wyck Hill third.
Winning trainer Michael Cullen said: “Katie gave her a great ride.
“The mare has a staying pedigree, she’s by Milan so we always thought she’d stay.
“It’s great for the owner and great for the yard, we’ve won this race before.”
