Paul Nicholls picked up another major win in a top rated steeplechase yesterday, as he claimed the 2008 Guinness Gold Cup with star performer Neptunes Collonges.

Collonges entered the race a short odds favourite, and did his backers in the betting markets proud by winning the race by 2 lengths. The result was a deserved reward for a horse that came very close to upsetting the pecking order in the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Ruby Walsh, who rode Neptunes Collonges to victory, picked up his second feature race win at the 2008 Punchestown Festival, extending his lead in the Irish Jockey Championships.

Second place in the 2008 Guinness Gold Cup went to Grand National competitor Snowy Morning, who built on his third place finish at the 2008 Grand National to take second place in the Gold Cup.

Mossbank, priced 7/2 before the race, took third place. The race also marked the final race of Beef or Salmon’s career, as the veteran headed into retirement with a 6th place in the 2008 Guinness Gold Cup.

The next major event at the 2008 Punchestown Festival is the Ladbrokes World Hurdle. Blazing Bailey is favourite to take victory after his win in the 2008 Aintree Hurdle at the Grand National meeting.