Promising return by Gold
Classy French chaser First Gold put up a promising performance at Punchestown today in his first race for almost a year.
The Francois Doumen-trained nine-year-old was sent off at 5-2 second favourite for the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase.
And he ran with credit despite being out of racecourse action since finishing fourth in last year’s Pertemps King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on St Stephen's Day.
In today’s Grade One contest he was settled in third by the trainer’s son Thierry as Rince Ri and Alcapone cut out the running in turn with 5-4 market leader Native Upmanship held up in last place by Conor O’Dwyer.
Approaching the fourth last First Gold was sent to the head of affairs but on the run to the penultimate fence his lack of a recent outing began to tell as he faded out of contention.
Native Upmanship, who had taken closer order off the final bend, cruised into the lead two out and running on strongly held off the renewed challenge of Rince Ri by three lengths with First Gold rallying to take third place a length and a half away.
More Than A Stroll finished fourth with Alcapone last of the five runners.
