Hourigan wins the War

Michael Hourigan received bountiful compensation for Church Island’s Kerry National reverse when Turf War won the Guinness Handicap Hurdle at Listowel.

Hourigan hit the crossbar on Wednesday when his popular 10-year-old lost out by a length to Northern Alliance.

It was a different story 24 hours later, however, as Turf War initiated a 20-1 shock in the feature event on day five of the Harvest Festival.

Once the front-running Fingers began to tire, Adrian Heskin’s mount cleared the final flight in unison with Tramp Stamp.

That rival arguably held a shade more momentum on the run-in, but Turf War picked up gamely on the rail to pounce with a head to spare.

Valain was third, while Fingers gained a deserved lump of the prize-money in fourth.

Hourigan said: “We planned to hold him up as long as possible.

“He’s a very accurate jumper, very swift, and he’ll make a lovely chaser.”