Heart Wood digs deep to make winning return at Punchestown

The 4-9 favourite forged ahead on the run-in to triumph by a length and three-quarters

Wed, 15 Oct, 2025 - 18:55

John Ryan

Runner-up in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham in March, odds-on favourite Heart Wood had to dig deep to see off Monbeg Park in the Grade Three BetVictor Chase in Punchestown, completing a double for Henry de Bromhead and Darragh O’Keeffe.

The 4-9 favourite forged ahead on the run-in to triumph by a length and three-quarters, with a 14-length gap back to top-weight Croke Park in third.

“It was his first run back and he was workmanlike,” stated the winning trainer. “They went a good gallop and Darragh felt he saw it out well and will improve plenty from it.

“He’s a very good horse and, while he wasn’t seeing out three miles last season, this was encouraging. He’s in the race in the north (the Grade One BetVictor Champion Chase), but it’s only two weeks away and we’ll see nearer the time. He’s a pacey horse and Kempton (the King George) might suit him.”

Bought out of Andy Slattery’s in the wake of his wide-margin debut success in Ballinrobe bumper in July, Gameball made a successful start over hurdles for De Bromhead, O’Keeffe, and owner Basil Holian in the opening BetVictor Maiden Hurdle, scoring smoothly by six lengths.

“I’m delighted for Basil and Bernie — Basil spotted him in Ballinrobe, bought him and sent him to us,” explained De Bromhead. “The Slatterys really liked him and he’s been working nicely. He was a bit keen and fresh today but his jumping was quick. And Darragh liked him.

“We’ll digest this and see where we go — the (Grade One) Royal Bond might be an option.”

The Gordon Elliott-trained King Of Kingsfield made it three wins from five starts over fences when capturing the Grade Three BetVictor Novice Chase at the expense of front-running market rival Birdie Or Bust.

Ridden by Jack Kennedy, the 5-4 favourite overcame a few sloppy jumps, notably at the second last where he pecked, before asserting on the run-in to score by two and a half lengths.

“He was very keen as a young horse but is learning to settle,” said Elliott. “Jack gave me a lovely ride and said he would have won snug if he hadn’t nodded at the second last.

“He’s entered for Cheltenham next week but is unlikely to go. And, once the ground goes, you won’t see him, until the spring.”

Trainer Peter Fahey admitted: “The ground went soft in both Galway and Listowel, but she was dropped a few pounds for both and slipped down to a nice mark,” after eight-year-old mare A Law Of her Own (Sam Ewing) defied top-weight in the Callaghan Aluminium Mares Handicap Hurdle.

And he added: “Two miles, on better ground, suited her and you could see the way she travelled and enjoyed it. She’s a good mare on her day and is heading for the Breeding Stock Sale.”

Fahey and Ewing were denied a double when 7-2 favourite Avalo failed by three-quarters of a length to 20-1 shot Linden Arden, a second winner in as many days for the Bowe family, Harry Kelly and Brian Hayes, in the TRM Nutrition Handicap Hurdle.

Making his stable debut, the seven-year-old was having his first run since being pulled up at Tipperary on July 1, as Kelly acknowledged: “He’s best fresh and we decided to come here rather than gallop him. He has a better mark over hurdles and Brian knows him well. I’m just delighted to have these horses for the Bowes and I’m sure John will have a plan for this fellow.”

And Derek O’Connor guided even-money favourite Aurea Fortuna, trained by Tony Martin, to a smooth success in the amateur handicap chase.