Balko Des Flos back on track at Punchestown

A review of the rest of the action from Punchestown on Sunday as Balko Des Flos made all to win the opening contest.

Balko Des Flos got his career back on track with a comfortable all-the-way victory in the Michael Fitzpatrick Memorial Maiden Hurdle at Punchestown.

Having won bumpers at Leopardstown and Sligo in the first half of last year, the Willie Mullins-trained five-year-old was unsurprisingly all the rage for his hurdling debut at Navan last month but was bitterly disappointing in finishing down the field.

Sent off the 11/8 favourite to right that wrong under Bryan Cooper, the five-year-old gradually wound up the gallop and had plenty in reserve as he passed the post three lengths clear of Robin Thyme.

Cooper said: "He could jump a bit better and was a bit green out in front, but he's still immature and has only just turned five.

"He's a grand horse for the future and he can go up in trip."

Mullins suffered a short-priced reverse in the I.N.H. Stallion Owners European Breeders Fund Novice Hurdle as the previously unbeaten Myska proved a bitter disappointment.

Winner of each of her three starts including a Listed prize at Taunton, Myska was the 8/13 favourite to beat the boys for the first time, but jumped poorly and weakened rapidly from the home turn to finish last of five runners.

Victory went to Gordon Elliott's Ball D'Arc, completing a double for Cooper and owners Gigginstown House Stud.

Third behind red-hot Supreme Novices' Hurdle favourite Min at this track three weeks ago, the 9-2 chance showed a smart change of gear in the testing conditions to beat Mullins' apparent second string Royal Caviar by three lengths.

"I thought he wanted a bit further, but it looks like two miles is his trip. He settled a bit better," said Elliott.

"We won't get too excited and will try to find something similar."

Myska was found to be coughing on examination by the Turf Club veterinary officer after her disappointing run.

What looked a strong Pertemps Handicap Hurdle worked out that way in the race itself as 16/1 chance Rathpatrick sprouted wings to get up and beat Oscar Sam in the hands of Barry Geraghty.

Oscar Sam looked to have been produced to perfection going to the final flight, having been just in behind four horses jumping two out more or less in a line, with favourite Mall Dini going best of them.

All the while, however, Geraghty was stoking up the Eoin Griffin-trained winner and despite not jumping as well as he might have, there was no stopping his charge, with half a length the winning margin.

Griffin said: "He was coming back from a disappointing campaign over fences. He just didn't take to them at all.

"He'd a nice run over hurdles the last day and seemed to come on from it. He loves heavy ground.

"He won't get into the race at Cheltenham (Pertemps), but we'll find something for him."

Ballyboker Bridge claimed back-to-back victories in the P.P. Hogan Memorial Cross Country Chase.

The nine-year-old ran a fair race when third at Cheltenham last month and was a 9/2 chance to defend his crown in this three-mile contest in the hands of Andrew Lynch.

The challengers were queuing up to have a pop at Peter Maher's charge from the home turn, but Ballyboker Bridge sealed the deal on the run to the final fence and jumped it well on his way to a four-and-a-quarter-length success.

Hot favourite Cantlow ran creditably to fill the runner-up spot on his cross-country debut and first start for Enda Bolger.

The admirable 15-year-old Uncle Junior was not without a chance when crashing out two fences from the finish.

Maher said: "I'd say he will go to Cheltenham now and he will be a better horse on better ground. He's not bad for 3,000 euro."

Lynch added: "I think the track at Cheltenham suits him a bit better than here as he loses a bit of ground over the banks here.

"The trip at Cheltenham will stretch him a bit."