Easy winner Hanicor likely to attempt quick double at the Curragh
The strapping four-year-old could be clearly mapped as the likely winner off the turn in, so well was he travelling.
Smullen soon let out an inch of rein and Hanicor was in front well over a furlong down to easily beat Tamworth.
“He's a big horse and you can understand why it has taken time to come to himself”, said Crowley.
“He is likely to run again at the Curragh on Saturday and will go back over hurdles when finished on the flat.”
Aidan O'Brien's Jaguar On The Run was a major gamble.
Taken as high as 11-4 in the offices, he was backed from 6-4 to 11-10 at the course.
He was struggling to mount a challenge when hampered with a furlong and a half to go and was then allowed to come home in his own time by Kieren Fallon, only beating two opponents.
Jaguar On The Run lost a hind shoe through the contest and Fallon reported to the stewards that he lost his action in the straight.
Fallon began his evening with an armchair ride aboard the David Wachman trained well-backed Always A Star in the Irish Stallion Farms' EBF Maiden.
The daughter of Danehill had run badly at Naas previously, but redeemed the promise of her first outing with an emphatic display.
She was soon in front and was far too good for these in the closing stages, scoring unextended by three lengths.
Michael Kinane missed his rides, following the recent death of his mother Frances, and was replaced on Szewinska in the Tipperary Town and District Traders Maiden by Cathy Gannon.
She certainly proved more than an able deputy, driving the daughter of Green Desert to the front early in the straight to beat Ardea Brave.
Jimmy O'Neill represented winning trainer, John Oxx, and said: “She choked at Leopardstown last season and had a little operation for a soft palate. You don't know until they have run, but obviously it has been successful. We will see what mark she gets from the handicapper.”
Dermot Weld's Wilderness Bay was a strong order, from 7-2 in the morning and 5-2 on-track, to 6-4. She was slowly away, however, and though challenging momentarily from the two furlong pole was always fighting a losing battle.
Ruby Walsh was able to sit motionless throughout as he guided long odds-on Emmpat to victory in the T.I.R.D Novice Hurdle.
Tony Mullins' charge is in good order right now and he cruised to the front between the last two flights to score with any amount in hand.
Said Walsh: “He has a real turn of foot and could be an ideal horse for the Galway Hurdle.”
Mullins completed a double when Pedrobob and his owner, Barry Connell, made all to easily take the Bumper.
David Boland (20) rode his second winner on top weight Dow Jones in the Tipperary Town and District Handicap Hurdle.
Michael Halford's charge hadn't run since November, but stripped fit and well to make every yard of the running.
Commented Halford: “David gave him a smashing ride. He's been working very hard and deserves chances. This horse will mix it between the flat and hurdles.”
Betting-office punters had reason to sing when market-leader, Jomacomi, was tossed out by the stewards after winning the Tipperary Town and District Publicans and Restaurants Maiden Hurdle.
The value of the double-result was never better illustrated. Jomacomi was taken from 6-4 to 11-10 and looked sure to score going to the last.
But he dived at the flight, became unbalanced and clearly badly hampered eventual fourth Dujareva, who was holding every chance at the time.
The stewards deliberated long and hard, but came to the right conclusion, to demote Jomacomi behind Dujareva and back to fourth place.
