Nastya brings up Killarney double for De Bromhead and O'Connor

Having been award the previous race in the stewards room, Henry De Bromhead and Mikey O'Connor quickly doubled up as Nastya won the Devil's Punchbowl Beginners Chase at Killarney.

Leading in the early stages, the 9/4 chance was headed by 11/8f Darcy's Friend before halfway. The latter jumped and travelled well at the head of affairs for the most part under Keith Donoghue.

However, a bad mistake at the second last fence proved costly as the Emmet Mullins trained gelding surrendered the lead to Nastya.

To his credit, Darcy's Friend closed the gap approaching the last and rallied on the run-in but Nastya prevailed by two-and-a-half lengths.

Mikey O'Connor said: "That is a good couple of winners to get after my injury and the mare deserved that. She had a very encouraging run the last day and we came here fairly hopeful.

"We went a good, even gallop the whole way and were a tad fortunate that Emmet Mullins' horse (Darcy's Friend) made a mistake at the second-last, which left me in front. My mare would have stayed going, although wouldn't have picked up, but I definitely felt I had the measure of him.

"I think that is her distance.

"I had been out for six weeks with a broken wrist and am glad to be back. I had little niggly injuries with my wrist so had to give it time."https://www.irishracing.com/news/Nastya-brings-up-Killarney-double-for-De-Bromhead-and-OConnor/259840