Carlingford Lough takes gold at Punchestown '¨to delight of Geraghty

Jockey Barry Geraghty celebrates winning the Bibby Financial Services Ireland Punchestown Gold Cup on Carlingford Lough.

Winner of the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown in February before finishing a creditable fourth at Cheltenham, John Kiely’s charge prevailed from Djakadam and Don Poli in a pulsating race which changed at the second last fence when Road To Riches came to grief.

The disappointment was Colin Tizzard’s Cue Card who was a slightly lacklustre fourth.

It was probably one race too many following a heavy campaign which began last October with victory in Wetherby’s Charlie Hall Chase before three Grade One triumphs and a heavy fall in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Geraghty said: “What a trainer John Kiely is – he’s brilliant.

“He couldn’t go the gallop in Cheltenham and he couldn’t go the gallop today, but it was just the way he finished out. It was just how long he could sustain that run, but he went all the way to the line.”

Meanwhile Katie Walsh recorded the first Grade One success of her career when Blow By Blow made virtually every yard of the running to land the Attheraces.com Champion INH Flat Race from British challenger Moon Racer.

While the time may have been slower, the result was still the same after Mizzou recorded a second straight success in the Longines Sagaro Stakes at Ascot.

After setting a new course record in the two-mile contest 12 months ago, the Luca Cumani-trained five-year-old become the fifth horse in history to win the Group Three contest twice when denying favourite Clever Cookie, trained at Malton by Peter Niven, by a neck.

Clever Cookie was a persistent challenger inside the final furlong, with Flying Officer sticking on gamely on the rail, but Mizzou just prevailed in tight finish.

“He did it very well and it was a tougher assignment this year, but he showed his battling ability and he is a tough horse who stays well,” said Cumani.

“We still have to find another 5lb between now and the Gold Cup because the third gave us 5lb there. Hopefully he will do and it will be back here for the Gold Cup. I was not concerned about the ground as he does not mind a bit of quick.”

Jockey Connor Beasley, who has made a miraculous recovery from multiple injuries suffered last summer at Wolverhampton, recorded the second winner of his inspirational comeback when partnering Dinneratmidnight to victory at Pontefract for Wetherby trainer Richard Guest.