Thanksforthehelp keeps British flag flying at Punchestown

David Pipe’s Thanksforthehelp made it three UK-based winners in just two days at the Punchestown Festival when coming with a powerful run after the last to land the Adare Manor Opportunity Series Final Handicap Hurdle.

Pipe, whose American Sniper also ran well to finish sixth under a big weight, was adding to wins for Mike Smith and Harry Derham on the opening day.

Thanksforthehelp (14-1) was one of five runners in the race for his owner JP McManus, who sponsored the race, and it was the blue capped runner who led them home under Gavin Brouder.

“On his day, he’s a decent horse. He probably could have done with the ground being a bit softer but Gavin Brouder gave him a great ride and he battled strongly, and was very brave today,” said Pipe.

“We thought he had a decent each-way chance. We had two in the race and the other one finished sixth, he ran well.

“It’s lovely to get a winner for JP. We’ve had some nice winners here in the past and it’s great to have another one.”

Kaid d’Authie (9-4) was the first winning favourite of the meeting at the 11th attempt in the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel Hurdle.

Pulled up in the Turners at Cheltenham, a change of headgear brought about a different result for Mark Walsh’s mount.

As Willie Mullins explained: “We took all the gear off his head and put cheekpieces on instead.

“We put on an ordinary snaffle instead of a chifney as we thought less interference in his mouth might help him jump better. I’m not sure that worked but at least he had a cut at his hurdles anyhow.

“He has no regard for them, we think he’ll be a lot better over fences.”

Yvonne Latta’s Thisistheway (9-1) was a valuable winner for conditional jockey John Shinnick as he chases down the suspended Tiernan Power Roche for the title. He is now one behind.

Andrew Latta, son and assistant trainer, said: “It’s a long time in the planning. The minute she came back in to go hurdling, this has been the target all along.

“To even get here is brilliant but to actually win it is brilliant again.”

Mullins went on to dominate the day as Jasmin De Vaux won the Channor Real Estate Group Novice Hurdle, Bambino Fever the Race & Stay At Punchestown Champion INH Flat Race and Galopin Des Champs claimed his first Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup.

Just for good measure, he also added the Colm Quinn BMW Handicap Chase with James Du Berlais (7-1), who fairly romped home under J J Slevin.

Declan Queally’s Carrigmoornaspruce (11-2) kept on strongly to reel in Aintree scorer Seo Linn in the Grade Three Weatherbys General Stud Book Irish EBF Mares INH Flat Race.