Upset at Thurles as Powerstation fails in Vendee Hurdle

Kerryhead Windfarm showed guts and determination to overturn odds-on favourite Powerstation under a strong ride from Davy Russell at Thurles.

Trained by Adrian Maguire, the 3-1 winner attempted to make all the running in the Vendee Hurdle but two sloppy leaps at the business end threatened to thwart his best efforts.

Kerryhead Windfarm lost some momentum after stepping at the third-last flight, which allowed 8-15 favourite Powerstation to get on top approaching the penultimate hurdle.

However, Russell refused to throw in the towel and after the pair climbed over the last he was able to extract a superior finishing kick from his mount, who rallied to score by three and a half lengths.

Maguire was full of praise for his jockey and said: "Davy is riding out of his skin at the moment. He is a horseman and filled him with confidence.

"Davy said even when Powerstation went by us at the second-last that he thought he would still win.

"He was a sick horse for some of last season and we only got him during the summer.

"I don't have a definite plan in mind for him but we'll have a look at the calendar and see what might suit him."