Asitsohappens battles to take Thurles opener

The opening maiden hurdle at Thurles this afternoon turned into a three-horse race up the back straight and it was Asitsohappens who proved strongest at the finish to lands the spoils.

Davy Russell made the running on the Rudimentary gelding but relinquished the lead before the third last. Lipinski took a narrow advantage as Macnicholson also challenged in a tight trio.

Macnicholson got to a narrow lead turning for home but was strongly pressed by Asitsohappens from the second last.

The long-time leader regained the advantage over the final flight and stayed on well on the run-in to score by half a length for trainer Moses McCabe.

The winner was not scoring out of turn having been narrowly denied on his previous two starts, when third at Gowran and second at Cork last month.

He had been backed at 11/4 this morning and was returned 2/1 favourite on course.

The winner is owned by the Each Way Syndicate, made up by the O'Donnell family from Knocknarea in Co. Sligo.

John O'Donnell and his two sons Niall and Conal make up the syndicate.

Winning trainer McCabe led away his charge after the victory.

(Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)