Punchestown Races: Andy Dufresne battles to Moscow Flyer success for Gordon Elliott

ANDY Dufresne was cut for Festival glory after a tough success in the Grade 2 Sky Bet Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle.

Sent off the red-hot 8-15 jolly, he was made to work to get past Captain Guinness who let his rival in with a mistake at the last.

Gordon Elliott’s 333,000 novice was beat last time out in Grade 2 company, but got back to winning ways here and is now as short as 12-1 for the Supreme.

The keen going Captain Guinness was sent to the front by Rachael Blackmore and the drinks were nearly on her again as she looked to have stole a march on the field.

Mark Walsh had to earn his euros early as Blackmore kicked for home turning in and it looked in vain before Captain Guinness made a tired jump over the last.

Henry De Bromhead’s runner-up was also cut for Cheltenham, with bookies going to 20-1 for the Supreme.

Elliott said: “He got beat by a good horse of Paul Nolan’s the last day in Navan, where he probably outstayed us, but that was more like it today.

“Mark said the inside track was tight enough for him here over two miles. He took a bit of organising around the last bend, but when he straightened up he jumped the last well.

“He galloped to the line and has won over two and a half. I’m not sure what the plans are, and I’ll have to talk to the lads,” the Cullentra handler added.

“I still don’t think two and half is a problem to him – he stays well. The way he moves he’ll probably be better on better ground.”

Earlier on the card Willie Mullins was all smiles as his Carefully Selected cruised to victory in the Grade 3 Killiney Novice Chase.

The result was never in doubt as he jumped smoothly to make it two-from-two over fences.

City Island was again far from foot perfect and could only trail behind in a distant second.