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Day 2

Boston Bob and Ruby Walsh claim Gold Cup at Punchestown

Willie Mullins enjoyed a couple of winners at the County Kildare festival this afternoon.

Ruby Walsh Ruby Walsh lifts the Gold Cup. Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

BOSTON BOB GRABBED the headlines on Day 2 of the Punchestown Festival with a victory in the Gold Cup.

Ridden by Rugby Walsh, the Willie Mullins-trained nine-year-old was 5/2 favourite going into the Grade One race having won the Melling Chase at Aintree earlier this month.

And Boston Bob finished strongly to see off second-placed First Lieutenant (5/1) and last year’s runner-up Long Run (6/1).

Walsh had considered going with On His Own this week but praised Mullins for persuading him otherwise.

“I have to thank Willie,” Walsh told the Racing Post.

“I never thought I’d be siding with On His Own over Boston Bob, but I rode them both the other morning and I was definitely leaning On His Own’s way.

On Monday morning I was talking to Willie and he fairly convinced me to ride this lad, so thanks to him.”

Jamie Codd celebrates Jamie Codd wins with Shaneshill. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Mullins had another winner in the Champion Bumper with Shaneshill (5/1), ridden by Jamie Codd, with Dermot Weld’s favourite Silver Concorde and 25/1 shot Value At Risk second and third respectively.

Earlier in the day, Beat That (11/8f) took the 3m Novice Hurdle from Don Poli 11/4 and Lots of Memories 7/1.

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