"I think he's a right little horse," said John 'Shark' Hanlon after his Magna Cartor won at Punchestown eighteen days back. The Motivator gelding looked as much when following up at Wexford today in the Audrey McGrath Memorial Rated Novice Hurdle.

As the six-year-old zoomed down the hill away from the third last it looked for a time as if he wouldn't need to come off the bridle at all under Rachael Blackmore.

It wasn't quite that simple as Bobarlee and Ruby Walsh threatened danger in the straight. Magna Cartor is operating at the peak of his powers just now though and he stayed on well from before the last for a three and a half length win.

"He was good there and he was a good purchase by Shark and Rachel (O'Neill)," said the winning rider in the aftermath.

"I took it up early enough as he is a bit more experienced than the other horses and it stood to him there anyway."

The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Light That trained by Mrs John Harrington, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

(DM & EM)