Willie Mullins bagged all three Grade One races on the opening day of this year's Punchestown Festival but probably not in the manner he would have expected.
Felix Yonger pulled off a surprise victory in the BoyleSports Champion Chase as Ruby Walsh for once backed the wrong horse.
Walsh had the pick of the three runners saddled by Mullins today, but the jockey's decision to opt for Champagne Fever proved to be the wrong choice as Danny Mullins partnered Felix Yonger to a narrow victory over Baily Green in their two-way battle for €120K top prize.
There was better news for Ruby in the first of today's Grade One races after Douvan added to his burgeoning reputation with a resounding victory in the Herald Champion Novice Hurdle to make it four wins from four in his career so far.
Walsh then produced something of an upset in the final big race on today's card when he steered Valseur Lido to success in the Growise Champion Novice Chase.
Two-time Cheltenham winner "Don Poli" was sent off as the odds-on favourite but was disappointing throughout and trailed home in last place behind his stablemate.
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