Cuneo, far side, jumps the last with Thermistocles© Photo Healy Racing
Rachael Blackmore drove Cuneo home in the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle at Leopardstown to give Henry de Bromhead a quick-fire double.
The six-year-old gelding, on handicap debut, made rapid headway on the outside approaching the home bend in this three miler.
He was pushed along to lead straightening up but soon had Thermistocles for company.
They were locked together over the last but in the final 150 yards Cuneo edged ahead and battled on well to prevail by half a length at 12/1. Walk To Freedom (10/1) finished with a flourish to get up for second by a short head from 7/1 joint favourite Thermistocles. Satoshi who was backed in from 16/1 to 11/1, came home fourth of the 23 runners.
Henry de Bromhead said: “He did it well in the end and really toughed it out. Rachael was super on him. He messed her around at the last in Punchestown so she was ready for him this time and he battled it out really well.
“We’ll follow along towards the Final of this series. He was 126 so I don’t know if he will get in or not but we’ll aim towards the Final."
Paddy Power gave Cuneo a first show of 25/1 for the Pertemps Final.
De Bromhead also took the opener on the card at Leopardstown through Malinas Jack (8/1).
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
