Questions has the answer as he lands a tidy touch
And eye-catcher in his recent novice outings, Questions Answered was backed from 4/1 in the morning before being sent off a strong 9/4 favourite. But his supporters had to sweat it out as he looked held by Silent Creek going to the last before staying on strongly under Shane Jackson to beat well-supported Carrigmartin (9/1 to 11/2) by a length and a half, with Silent Creek a close third.
A three-time winner over hurdles, Questions Answered did well to score over this extended two miles and three furlongs as his trainer believes he needs further.
“This horse is a pleasure to train,” he said “and his owners are fantastic people. He’s only five and has plenty of improvement in him. Stepping up to three miles should bring about more improvement. With a bit of luck, there’ll be another big day in him.”
Questions Answered provided jockey Shane Jackson, whose career has been dogged by injury, with a timely boost on his first ride for McNamara and only a second success of the season.
Earlier, Sweet My Lord, trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by his nephew Emmet, made virtually all to justify 4/9 favouritism in the Irish Independent Hurdle, beating Wilde Wit Pleasure.
The winner, a bit unlucky when beaten over a longer trip at Punchestown last time, is owned by a syndicate which includes RTE’s Colm Murray. Mullins’ representative Gary Davies commented: “It’s brilliant that he won, because one of his part-owners Colm Murray hasn’t been well.
“It wasn’t the plan to make the running. But Emmet did the right thing when there was no pace and got the horse settled in front.”
