Joncol looked in impressive form at Leopardstown

Joncol produced a stirring finish to beat Cooldine by a neck and win the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown.

After disappointing in third in the Lexus Chase, the seven-year-old and 9-4 favourite was held back by jockey Alain Cawley until pouncing after the last.

Ruby Welsh started well on Cooldine but Schindlers Hunt looked a big threat turning into the straight, with Notre Pere and Money Trix caught flat-footed.

A mistake at the last by Schindlers Hunt allowed Joncol to storm through.

Joncol's trainer Paul Nolan was delighted with the victory but remained uncertain on whether his horse would run at Cheltenham.

"This is brilliant and days like this don't come round too often," Nolan said. "I thought we were in trouble but he is very gutsy and we held up him a bit longer compared to the Lexus.

"They went very steady, the ground was a little tacky and Alain gave him a great ride.

606: DEBATE Cooldine will come on leaps and bounds for that run. Joncol did run well though puntingred

"Cheltenham is at the back of my mind and he is only 50-50 to run there. If he does go, it will be for the Ryanair and I have no regrets not entering him for the Gold Cup with Kauto Star and Denman being in there.

"I would rather go for a race where he is in contention," adding that if the ground suited then the Guinness Gold Cup at Punchestown was a serious option.

After Cooldine was forced to pull up in the Lexus, Willie Mullins was happy to see a return in form of his eight-year-old.

"I expect he will improve and he'll go straight to the Gold Cup. He improved all through his novice campaign and I hope it will be the same this year," the trainer said.

Even taking on board Nolan's reservations, William Hill were impressed enough to slash Joncol to just 6-1 for the Ryanair Chase behind the 4-1 favourite Poquelin. Cooldine remains unchanged at 14-1 with Ladbrokes for the blue riband.

Meanwhile, Dunguib looks increasingly likely to saddle the burden of being the Irish banker at Cheltenham. Philip Fenton's star rewarded those brave enough to take a prohibitive 30-100 price to land the Deloitte Novice Hurdle by two and a half lengths without coming off the bridle.

Settled at the rear of the field by his young jockey Brian O'Connell, he did not jump particularly well throughout but it made little difference.

Ruby Walsh kicked for home on Fionnegas round the final bend but O'Connell was motionless as he drew alongside and cruised home to win by two and a half lengths. Victor Chandler trimmed his price to 4-6 for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.

Leopardstown (Going: Heavy)
2:10
1st Dunguib (Mr B T O'Connell, 3-10 fav)
2nd Fionnegas (R Walsh, 8-1 2nd-fav)
7 ran
Distances: 2½ lengths; 11 lengths; 5 lengths

3:45
1st Joncol (A P Cawley, 9-4 fav)
2nd Cooldine (R Walsh, 5-2 joint-2nd-fav)
7 ran
Distances: Neck; 5½ lengths; 4 lengths

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