Flirting Lesa ran out a comprehensive winner of the KFM Hunters Chase for the Bishopscourt Cup for trainer Patrick Hayes on Friday afternoon.
The well-bred sort was enjoying her first success since breaking her maiden back in 2016, although the eight-year-old was subject to plenty of market support having been backed from 66/1 into ‘16/1.
Niall Redmond was enjoying his second winner in the past 12 month’s around Punchestown, having won a maiden hurdle around here aboard TImetoget for his boss Jessica Harrington last summer.
Having disputed much of the running, the successful mare avoided any trouble in running caused by fallers before making the best of her way home from the penultimate obstacle.
Sporting the colours of Frank Moynihan the daughter of Flemensfirth stuck gamely to her task, seeing off Alpha Male by three lengths. The veteran Enniskillen filled the third position on his second outing of the week.
Afterwards Paddy Hayes said: “I’d like to thank Jessica Harrington. I ride out for her in the morning and she allows me use her gallops which is great help. She’s a lovely woman to work for and she’s been a great help to me.
“Niall rides out in Jessie’s as well. He’s a very good rider and is underestimated as he doesn’t get many rides.”
While the winning rider Niall Redmond said, ‘Paddy thought she had a great each-way chance and when I schooled her yesterday it was the first time that I sat on her. She jumped from fence to fence and stayed on great from the back of the second last.”
