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Sir Des secures Punchestown Gold

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...=&sub=&day=Thu

Sir Des Champs hung on grimly in a thrilling finish to the Bet Online With thetote.com Punchestown Gold Cup as Long Run and First Lieutenant came storming home.

Davy Russell made a positive move down the back straight, taking up the running off Long Run at the third-last and going two lengths clear .

There was not much between Sir Des Champs and Long Run at Cheltenham last month and yet again the pair proved they were closely matched, because as Sir Des Champs began to tire Long Run was coming hard at him after the last. Over on the far side Mouse Morris' consistent First Lieutenant, a winner at Aintree, also had a chance but the 2-1 favourite Sir Des Champs held on by three-quarters of a length from Long Run, with First Lieutenant just behind in third.