Flower turned the tables to Cheltenham his conquero Poniros festival to descend to the Ballymore Champion Four years in Punchestown.
So impressive in his British debut in Ascot, Nicky Henderson’s Lulamba seemed determined to follow in the barrier of Triumph as he received the best of an extended battle with the dock of East India. But the two were seized late by Willie Mullis-Trained 100-1 Shot Poniros, who was making his obstructing debut.
Flower was a favorite 11-10 to specify his revenge on Irish soil and to give Henderson and knight James Bowen a welcome increase after the disappointing Hill Constitution run in the Hurdle Boodles champion just than 24 hours ago – and ultimately did so in good style.
Always near the rhythm, Lulamba led Poniro home straight and ended tightly from the last flight to win the four -length match, with the neighbor hello a third.
Lulamba was providing owners Joe and Marie Donnelly with their second -grade winner of the week after the state’s state victory over Hill Constitution on Friday.
Henderson said: “These are great days, it has been a great week and a great week for the Donnelly family. Two winners like this are quite special.
“We tried to take the road yesterday, it was a bitter pill, but it did well. Now we’ve done it together.”
He added: “This is a fantastic place, we love it. This is a right horse for another day. He deserves it as much as everyone is.
“I wouldn’t say he was unlucky not to win at Cheltenham, he could do nothing about him at the time and we got a little revenge there.
“He is a beautiful horse for the future, you will not be surprised if he did not return to the fence next year. I don’t know, it’s the first days and it’s just the fourth race of his life.
“He is a great child to make obstacles for juveniles against flat horses, so right for him.”
For the Constitution Hill, Henderson said: “He’s okay. He is a little hurt, but it’s good.
“He has a long summer in front of him. He will come back.”
