Hat trick for What Odds

What Odds completed a hat-trick for local trainer Tucker Geraghty and the Dee Racing Syndicate at Fairyhouse this afternoon to justify favouritism in the Duggan Brothers Porterstown Handicap Chase.

Ross Geraghty, son of the winning trainer, sent the 5-2 favourite straight into the lead in the three-mile-five-furlong event and his partner gave an exhibition round of jumping to follow up hunter chase successes last winter at Fairyhouse and Punchestown.

“Although he guessed at the ditch seven out, it was his only mistake and he showed how tough and honest he is as I was off the bridal from five out,” said the winning jockey.

The winning trainer added: “The three miles and five furlongs was ideal for our horse and although Barry had to go to Newbury I was happy that Ross was there to deputise and he knows the horse equally well.”

What Odds carries the same colours as last Martell Cognac Grand National hero Monty’s Pass and the syndicate’s principal shareholder Mike Futter indicated that today’s winner could be bound for Aintree as well.

“What Odds may well go now for the Midlands National at Uttoxeter. We wanted to find out here if he stays such a trip and this victory gives us a great clue,” Futter remarked.

“We will enter What Odds for the Martell National and if Monty’s Pass didn’t get his good ground this fellow could go there instead,” added Futter who conceded that he had indeed punted the favourite.

“I backed him on and off course. I had a half-major bet – the price of a very good party.”

Earlier in the session Jessica Harrington’s good run of form continued when she doubled up over hurdles with Imazulutoo (6-1) and Jackie Cullen (5-1).

Imazulutoo, who had won his two previous starts over timber on fast ground, showed he handles soft going equally well as he went away from the opposition in the closing stages of the betfair.com Juvenile 3-Y-O Hurdle.

“He won here as a two-year-old on his debut and it is great to see that he looks equally good in the soft. He jumped brilliantly and settled really well early on for Mark Walsh whom I booked at the last minute when Robert Power did not arrive in time,” said Mrs Harrington.

The winner will head now to Leopardstown for the Denny Juvenile Hurdle after Christmas.

Mrs Harrington however had left to travel to England for a wedding by the time Jackie Cullen had gained quick compensation for finishing runner-up in a bumper at Navan last Sunday.

Power, held up by traffic problems on his way from Belfast, was there to partner the 5-1 winner, who had to overcome an untidy jump at the final obstacle before proving too strong for Crooked Mile in the Ashbourne Maiden Hurdle.

The odds-on Central House looked a horse to follow when giving a marvellous display of fast, accurate jumping in the Hooke And MacDonald Beginners’ Chase for young amateur Roger Loughran, who works for winning trainer Dessie Hughes.