Oh Brother! Famous Punchestown success for Connor and Daniel King

It was a red-letter day for brothers Connor and Daniel King at Punchestown, as Oscars Brother continued his climb up the novice chasing ranks to land the Boodles Florida Pearl Novice Chase.

Fresh from making all to open his account over fences at Galway last month, the 7-4 favourite was to the fore again, taking the step up to Grade Two level in his stride with some sure-footed jumping to see off Henry de Bromhead’s Koktail Divin by three lengths.

Delighted trainer Connor King said: “We’ve always liked him. He did well over hurdles and we always hoped he’d be a better chaser.

“I’ve been keeping my eye on this race for a long time. I remember there were only three runners in it last year and thinking it would be a nice race to aim for.

“I think he jumped better the last day, but he got the job done.”

Looking to future plans, King added: “It’s disappointing for us they have got rid of the three-mile novice chase at Leopardstown (at Christmas).

“Limerick is two-miles-five (Faugheen Novices’ Chase) and it will probably be heavy ground so that might suit him, and we could travel as well.

“Staying races are his thing and there’s plenty to look forward to. I still think there’s loads left in him and he’s always fresh after his races. I don’t think we have got to the bottom of him.”

There was an all-Willie Mullins finish to the Conway Piling Beginners Chase where Grade Three-winning hurdler Kitzbuhel (8-15 favourite) made the perfect introduction over the larger obstacles, edging out stablemate Kaid d’Authie by a length and a quarter.

The five-year-old could now meet Oscars Brother over the Christmas period. Mullins said: “He needed that. It was a nice performance, he jumped economically and Paul (Townend, jockey) was happy he’d improve from it.

“We’ll look for a race after Christmas, maybe the one at Limerick.”

Quinta Do Lago (6-5 favourite) confirmed the promise of his easy win at Cork when knuckling down to take the opening Total Event Rental 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle.

Jessica Harrington’s charge was given a quote of 50-1 by Paddy Power for the Triumph Hurdle, with the trainer’s daughter and assistant Kate Harrington confirming Cheltenham would be on the agenda.

She said: “I was a little worried he lacked that bit of experience against horses from the Flat.

“He looked like he was beaten turning in, but he put his head down and came through a tight gap between horses.

“We’re going to aim towards Cheltenham, but we’ll see how he comes out of this first.”

Gordon Elliott’s Santo Sospir (11-8 favourite) gamely landed the Sebden Steel Maiden Hurdle, after which stable representative Lisa O’Neill said: “I think further will definitely suit him and he handles those ground conditions, so he’ll have loads of options for the winter. Hopefully he can step up to graded level.”