Hourigan happy with staying on Beef Or Salmon
Admittedly, he was doing all his best work at the end, taking third behind the impressive Patsy Hall and Mac Three, but you could hardly describe it as an encouraging display.
He was awkward over a couple of obstacles early on and held every chance off the home turn. But he never threatened to pick up and was only running on at the one pace in the closing stages.
The effort, however, delighted trainer, Michael Hourigan. Said Hourigan: “I am very pleased with him, he was doing his best work at the right time. He now goes to Punchestown for the Guinness Chase.”
Victory went to Patsy Hall, who travelled supremely well throughout for Timmy Murphy. He got a dream run up the inside in the straight to lead at the last and quickly go clear.
Commented trainer, Michael Cunningham: “We used to think he wanted heavy ground, but this is his ground.
“He will have a couple of months off now and come back next season. I will see whether the owner wants him to stay over hurdles or send him over fences.
“He is bred to be a chaser.”
A major gamble went astray on Charlie Swan's One Cool Cookie. Backed from 12-1 to 6's, he was struggling a long way from home.
Pat Fahy's horses are gradually coming back to form, after a terrible couple of months, and his Publican outclassed favourite Tiger Cry in the Joe Molloy Bookmakers' Telebetting Hurdle.
He made no show in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham, but found this a lot easier, cantering ahead for Tony McCoy going to the second last.
Said Fahy: “He jumped high over his hurdles at Cheltenham and did it again in the early part of this race. But he had a lot more time here.
“He didn't take to fences as we would have liked, but fortunately J P (McManus) owns him and he stood by me.
“I will have to talk to Frank Berry (McManus' racing manager), but I would say that is it for the season. We will give him plenty of schooling and bring him back over fences, he is still a novice.”
Dessie Hughes' Justpourit slogged his way to victory in what looked a rather moderate Sherry Fitzgerald Hurdle
Uneasy market-leader Oodachee looked all over a winner when edging ahead between the last two flights.
But he was decidedly reluctant to battle on the level and was worried out of it by the Barry Geraghty ridden winner.
Said Hughes: “He might have one more run over hurdles, Punchestown is a bit close this year, but will come back over fences next season.”
The Tony Martin trained Ross River landed some tasty wagers with the minimum of fuss in the McGarrell Reilly Homes Handicap Hurdle.
In theory this should have been fiercely competitive, but confidently handled by Davy Russell he scored in the proverbial canter.
Russell produced the grey with an irresistible burst going to the final flight and the contest was over bar a fall.
The winner was taken at 8-1 in the morning and from 6-1 to 100-30 favourite on track. Martin indicated he will now head to Punchestown, where he has a number of options.
Bottom weight Lakil Princess ran her rivals ragged in the Avon Ri Corporate and Leisure Resort Novice Chase.
She made every yard of the running, proving far too good for Some Timbering. “She's a lovely jumper for a mare who used to hit the odd hurdle”, said trainer, Paul Nolan.
“She should be able to win a maiden on the flat!”
