The redevelopment scheme carried out at Punchestown since the successful National Hunt Festival last April produced near perfect racing ground yesterday despite torrential rain in the area last week.
Costing over £300,000, major track widening but more importantly drainage work incorporating the laying of 30 drains, primarily in the straight, resulted in good-to-soft ground on the flat course and remarkably good ground on the chase track. Declan McDonogh, deputising for Stephen Craine, who broke an ankle riding at work last Wednesday, teamed up with easy-to back market leader Sand Partridge to justify favouritism in the Elverstown EBF Maiden.
Winning trainer Kevin Prendergast said, "Stephen was riding work for my brother (Paddy) on the Curragh when the accident happened and it's unfortunate for him. He'll miss the rest of the season." On future plans for the daughter of Desert Style, owned by his wife Leslie, the Curragh handler added, "this filly deserved her win and she's in the Birdcatcher at Naas but we'll have to wait and see."
Bookmakers enjoyed the better of the exchanges during the afternoon and they enjoyed a screaming result in the Masterchefs Hurdle when 9 to 1 shot Taoibhin and Tommy Treacy scored with the minimum of fuss from warm favourite River Pilot.
Charles O'Brien's Kilkenny Castle, sporting blinkers for the first time, sprinted clear from the furlong marker in the hands of Pat Shanahan to open his account in the Carnalway Maiden.
