At The Races

Vinny back in business
22 Feb 2012

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Cousin Vinny made a winning return from almost two years on the sidelines in the Festival Free Upgrade Offer Ends Today Hurdle at Punchestown.

The Willie Mullins-trained 2008 Champion Bumper winner had not been seen in competitive action since finishing behind stablemate Quevega at the 2010 Punchestown Festival, but was still sent off the 8-11 favourite.

Ruby Walsh eased his mount to the front between the final two obstacles and while he fluffed his lines at the last, he soon recovered to beat Won In The Dark by three and a quarter lengths.

"He showed his class when he straightened up going to the last and had a change of gear. I was amazed at the speed he showed and how he has retained it is extraordinary," said Mullins.

"We'll find another conditions race for him now, something similar, and he will be aimed more towards the Punchestown Festival."

The Bishop Looney (8-1) recorded a confidence-boosting victory in the Festival Any Day Flexi-Ticket Hurdle after suffering a fall in the Thyestes Chase on his last run.

TJ Nagle's charge was third jumping the final flight, but his stamina kicked in and he surged past the leaders to beat favourite Maggie Connolly by a length and a half in the hands of Tom Doyle.

The jockey said: "TJ wanted to get a run into him and to get a bit of confidence for him. He's not the biggest horse in the world, but it was a good tough performance and apart from landing out on his head a bit at the last, he jumped great."

Charlie's Vic (6-1) has won a point-to-point and a bumper and Noel Kelly's five-year-old added the punchestown.com For Festival Offers Mares Maiden Hurdle to that list in impressive style, sweeping clear after the final flight to beat Tango Moll by 21 lengths under Derek Fox.

Kelly said: "She was very impressive. I fancied her if she settled - if she was going to be beaten, she would have beaten herself. She was second to a good horse of Lucinda Russell's the last day who has won since, and we'll bring her to Downpatrick for a novice hurdle in three weeks' time."