Agus A Vic towards rear, some mistakes, progress 4 out, ridden to go 3rd before last, soon challenged in 2nd, stayed on well to lead late run-in
Alert The Earth in rear of mid-division, closer in 4th approaching straight where hampered, left in lead 2 out, strongly pressed from before last, kept on well, headed late run-in
Jaquouille mid-division, closed before 4 out, 5th approaching straight, ridden to go 2nd when slightly hampered last, no impression in 3rd and kept on same pace run-in
French Thyne in rear of mid-division, headway 4 out, 7th straight, kept on without threatening under pressure from before last
Christy Beamish mid-division, closed into 6th approaching straight where hampered, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from 2 out
Winning Dream mid-division, kept on without threatening under pressure straight
Fifty Yearson chased leaders, mistake 10th, 3rd approaching straight, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from before 2 out
Spin Box chased leaders, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from after 3 out
Royal Blood led, headed 3 out, mistake and badly hampered next, no extra
Moscow Maui mid-division best, no impression from 4 out
Beachcomber Bay mid-division, chased leaders before 4 out, no impression under pressure from soon after next
Goinforporter close up, hit 7th, 2nd before 4 out, lost place and weakened approaching straight
Treybor never better than mid-division
Artist´s Return prominent, 3rd approaching 4 out, soon lost place and weakened
Rock On Tom chased leaders, 6th at 9th, no extra from 4 out
Geetonpaddy close up, mistake 2nd, dropped to mid-division 6th, reminders 7 out, soon weakened
Ben Alder mid-division, no impression under pressure from 5 out, weakened and pulled up before 2 out
Hatton´s Wood mid-division, no impression from 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
The Cub Wood short of room and fell 2nd
Southwestern towards rear, progress 5 out, 5th before next, led before 3 out, soon clear, reduced lead when fell 2 out
That´s Carroll always towards rear, pulled up before 5 out
The Spruester mid-division until mistake and unseated rider 6 out
Archies Lad prominent, 5th approaching 7 out, lost place from 5 out, weakened and pulled up before 2 out
An Dun Ri prominent, 6th approaching 7 out, lost place and eased 5 out, pulled up before next
Tullispark Lad towards rear, some headway 7 out, no danger from 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
Analyis of the race
This race has always been a welcome addition to the Punchestown Festival and that was the case yet again this year when a dramatic finish led to AGUS A VIC making up for his Cheltenham disappointment.
The finish of this race revolved around the crashing fall of Southwestern, who looked a likely winner when exiting the race at the second last fence, and after that incident interfered with Royal Blood, that allowed Agus A Vic and Alert The Earth to fight out the finish.
Agus A Vic had been sent off favourite to win the Christie's Foxhunter and with his below-par effort being put down to a broken blood vessel, it was of not much surprise to see him return to the winners' enclosure here.
Given a patient ride, the winner looked held at the time when Southwestern exited the race and after a slight mistake at the last fence, he then had to get the better of Alert The Earth on the run-in, which he did inside the last 50 yards. On his overall form, which included a hunters chase win on Irish Hennessy Gold Cup day, Agus A Vic was entitled to go close here.
Recent Fairyhouse winner Jaquouille was once again given his usual patient ride and when he moved into contention at the fourth last, it looked as though he was going to have a major say in the finish. However, he didn't pick up as perhaps expected although he did stay on again close home to finish a close third.
After running creditably at Fairyhouse behind Jaquouille, French Thyne put up a similar performance to once again fill fourth while Christy Beamish couldn't repeat his Aintree form and never really looked likely to do so. [JOH]
Tote
Tote Win: 5.4
Tote place (1): 2
Tote place (2): 3.3
Tote place (3): 1.4
Tote place (4): 3.4
Exacta: 62.1
CSF: 56.3
Total SP: 149
Further Information
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