Jezki makes winning return at Naas

Two potentially smart novices fought out the opener at Naas as Jezki got the better of Ally Cascade in the O'Callaghan Hotels Supporting Kildare GAA Maiden Hurdle today.

Noel Meade's Ally Cascade set out to make all under Davy Russell but Barry Geraghty never let him out of his sight on Jessica Harrington's Jezki, eighth in the Cheltenham bumper in March.

Ally Cascade looked to have done enough with a decent leap at the last but was soon treading water and Jezki (7-4) rallied for a three-quarters of a length win.

"He was a good bumper horse, he won two and ran well at Cheltenham," said Geraghty.

"I'd say that race didn't really suit him as he was a bit novicey over the first few but he jumped the last four really well.

"I felt I was going to win easy going to last but he was a little bit deliberate and Davy got away from me a little bit but once I got stuck into him I got away with it.

"It's always hard to evaluate bumper form but I thought if he jumped he'd take some beating.

"I'd say two miles is fine, he gave a little blow but came back on the bridle, he's plenty of speed."

Hidden Cyclone defied a lengthy absence and defeated race-fit rivals to win the Grade Three Murray Spelman Insurance Supporting Kildare GAA Poplar Square Chase.

Shark Hanlon has been struggling for winners of late but his stable star delivered on his comeback.

Despite not jumping with much fluency he took up the running from Foildubh between the final two fences, but he began to get lonely after the last and gave Foildubh another crack.

Andrew McNamara needed to straighten his mount up and once he did that Hidden Cyclone ran on again to win by a length and a half, with Rathlin well beaten.

McNamara said: "Winning is a bonus. I wasn't sure how much I had under me but when I gave him a squeeze at the second last he really responded. I was in front a bit sooner than planned.