Races
PUNCHESTOWN FESTIVAL: Scottish National third Mister Fogpatches wins in County Kildare
Mister Fogpatches boosted the Scottish Grand National form at Punchestown on Saturday afternoon
Scottish Grand National bronze medalist Mister Fogpatches went two places better in the Colm Quinn BMW Group Handicap Chase on the concluding day of the Punchestown Festival for Pat Fahey and Danny Mullins.
Having chased home Mighty Thunder at Ayr last month, the Fairly Ransom gelding secured only a second career success after mowing down recent Irish National hero Freewheelin Dylan on Saturday afternoon.
Two-time Aintree placer Anibale Fly finished third under Mark Walsh.
It was the first of a double on the card for jockey Danny Mullins, who also steered Stormy Ireland to victory in the Coolmore Kew Gardens Irish EBF Mares Champion Hurdle.
The daughter of Motivator has now won her last two starts since rejoining Willie Mullins from Paul Nicholls, taking her total of career victories to eight from 24 starts.
It was the first of a treble on the day for Mullins and Closutton, who claimed 19 of the 40 winners across the Punchestown Festival and its five days.
The legendary trainer told Racing TV at the fixture’s close: “We’ve had a fantastic festival. It’s great to have the support of the owners that we have and without them none of us could keep going at Closutton.
“They are the whole part of the team really with the investment they put in every year.
“Hopefully we can get owners back and then after that crowds back to inject a lot of atmosphere that is missing at the moment.”
