Always survives mistakes to land the odds

ALWAYS, confidently ridden by champion jockey Paul Carberry, had to survive mistakes at the last two flights before justifying odds on favouritism in the Athleague Novice Hurdle at Roscommon last night.

The Noel Meade trained four-year-old was produced with a well timed challenge, but had to battle hard on the run-in to hold the challenge of Phoenix The Great with High Reef a close third.

Winning trainer Meade explained: “John Egan rode him in England and told me that he liked to battle. The pace today didn’t help him and he’ll be more effective when he steps up to 2½ miles.”