Sun shines for Hughes
Partnered by Ian McCarthy, the 7/1 shot took it up on the approach to the second last and stayed on well to account for the favourite Peaks Of Fire by a length and a half.
Miss Nomer was a fortunate winner of the Gordons Gin Mares Maiden Hurdle. Paddy Mangan’s mount looked destined for a minor role as Landenstown Lady appeared set to collect when falling at the final flight, gifting the race to the winner who held the late effort of Elanisa to score by half a length.
Paul Carberry gave Nodelay a dashing front-running ride to beat Boynagh Joy to capture the Guinness Hurdle.
The winner is trained by Colin McBratney who said: “He is in at Downpatrick on Monday. There are not a lot of races for her and she thrives on racing. I left the tactics to Paul and there’s no better man.”
Blue Vic was well supported to gain an overdue success in the Harp Lager Handicap Hurdle and the 6/1 shot displayed plenty of courage when he headed Magnetic Force on the flat to score for Tim Carroll and Tom McCourt. The former said: “He ran too free the last day at Bellewstown and is still learning about the game. He’ll be a nice horse to go chasing with.”
The Tom Gibney trained Between Me And You caused a major surprise when the 33/1 shot credited John Tobin with his first success when the pair made all the running to win the Irish Whiskey Maiden Hurdle.
The victory was no surprise to Gibney who stated: “This is the best horse that I’ve had by some way but he is highly strung and he usually has his race run by half way. I knew if he settled today he’d win.”
