Feet Of A Dancer is Punchestown hit

Paul Nolan was thrilled to see Feet Of A Dancer secure an overdue big-race victory in the Frontline Security Grabel Mares Hurdle at Punchestown.

The six-year-old had been placed at Listed level on three previous occasions and last season finished fourth in the Pertemps Final at the Cheltenham Festival before picking up the bronze medal in a Grade Two at Fairyhouse.

Making her first appearance since that effort on Easter Monday, Feet Of A Dancer was 7-2 shot in the hands of Sean O’Keeffe and pulled clear in the straight to claim Listed gold by nine lengths. Mozzies Sister filled the runner-up spot, with 5-6 favourite Fun Fun Fun only fourth.

Nolan said: “She’s a good mare and I’m delighted for Cathy (Byrne, owner). Phil (Byrne’s late husband) is looking down on us. He was a great fella and you can see how much this means to Cathy.

“Phil was with us from the very start and unfortunately he died suddenly last year. It was a horrendous blow for Cathy and the family. He was a brilliant musician himself and called this mare after a song. He owned Sean’s Bar in Athlone.

“This mare was a bit unlucky in the Pertemps at Cheltenham last March but she has large black type now, which is brilliant.”

Desertmore House (3-1) recorded his first win in the cross-country sphere in the Colm Quinn BMW Risk Of Thunder Chase, beating 9-4 favourite The Goffer by four lengths under Ricky Doyle.

Winning trainer Martin Brassil said: “He loves it now. It was his first (cross-country) run here in the La Touche in the spring and he was good (finished second).

“We had him here the other day just for a pop around and he was looking for the next obstacle. He was just attacking the whole thing, and I thought he’d run a big race today.

“We’ll probably aim for Cheltenham in the spring and I’d say he’ll love it around there too.”

Champagne Kid was a 14-1 winner of the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Hurdle, while Kotkito Bello struck at 7-2 in the Donohue Marquees Novice Handicap Hurdle.

Gordon Elliott’s Staffordshire Knot (11-2) landed the Pertemps Network Group Handicap Hurdle, with 5lb claimer Carl Millar doing the steering.

“To be honest he’s been disappointing. He came with a bit of a reputation, but I don’t think he was right last year. He never held his condition or looked great all year and this year he looks a lot better,” said Elliott.

“He looks a happier horse now and I wouldn’t rule out ever going back over fences.

“He’s qualified for the race (Pertemps Final) and I’d imagine he’ll go there.”