Battling Spirit on the up at the age of 11

The attheraces.com/cheltenham Handicap Hurdle saw a second winning favourite in as many races at Fairyhouse as Battling Spirit prevailed under Katie O'Farrell.

Two handicap first-timers were the focus of much attention pre-race here, as both Eddie Cawley's Misty Hollow and Oliver McKiernan's Cappacon tumbled in price.

This pair rewarded each-way support after coming in from fancy odds in earlier trading to starting prices of 11/2 and 8/1 respectively.

At the business end of this two and a half miler it was a case of the form horse beating the unexposed ones though, as Battling Spirit proved too strong for Misty Hollow and Cappacon by a length and a quarter and three and a half lengths.

Trainer Jonathan Sweeney was on lead-up duties and his back-in-trip 15/8 favourite certainly deserved this after a third placing behind handicap good thing Poormans Hill last time.

Owner/breeder Kevin Dunlea deserves it too for his patience with the eleven-year-old, winning his second race in three starts here.

(GC & EM)