Plans fluid for improving Carlingford Lough

The connections of Jezki - second in the Ryanair Hurdle - had better luck when the rapidly improving Galway Plate winner, John Kiely’s Carlingford Lough, also owned by McManus, landed the Grade 1 Topaz Novice Chase at Leopardstown yesterday.

Ruby Walsh looked set for a big race double when powering market leader, Morning Assembly, ahead at the last, but McCoy wasn’t to be denied and Carlingford Lough readily swept past on the flat.

“He got a very good ride and was produced at the right time”, said Kiely. “We all learnt from the Drinmore (Fairyhouse), we went a bit too soon.