Archie on target for the National after game success

The Fay Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle at Kilbeggan could certainly come under the triumph for the handicapper banner as a large blanket would have covered the first six home and there wasn't very far back to the next two either. Highly-rated chaser Archie Boy was the one that toughed it out from the front, holding off all comers, principal among which was the hat-trick seeking Resolute Bay

Almost thirty pounds better off in this sphere in comparison with his true vocation, Barry Geraghty set a good tempo from the start on Archie Boy and a good leap at the last was a big help in keeping the nine-year-old son of Basanta (seven times a winner over fences) in front.

Paul Flynn trains Archie Boy for the Mml Syndicate and the Longford handler said: "Obviously he looked well-treated over hurdles. We ran him to see if he'd handle the track with the idea of going for the Midlands National here.

"Barry said the track wasn't ideal and that he tended to go a bit left. We'll probably ignore him and go for it anyway. There aren't many options for him over fences with the Galway Plate being another option."

Gamble of this contest, O Fortuna just missed out on a place in the frame, finishing a close up sixth.