Changer firmly back to his best

The Game Changer continued his resurgence in form as he just held off Ballycasey in the Kerrymaid Hurdle.

The Gordon Elliott trained eight-year-old went almost two years without a win, and disappointingly pulled up three times in-a-row earlier this year.

He returned to form by finishing second at Sligo last month, and followed-up on that effort by scoring over fences at Ballinrobe on his most recent start.

Back over the smaller obstacles today he was sent off a 4/1 chance (from 9/2) with seven pound claimer Chris Meehan in the saddle.

Settled in a close second, the winning son of Arcadio got to the front after the second last. He idled on the run-in and needed to be ridden out in the closing stages to hold off the renewed effort of Ballycasey by a head.

The runner-up was returned the 4/6 favourite with Ruby Walsh in the saddle for Willie Mullins.

The front two went twelve lengths clear of Dysios in the third.

Meehan said afterwards: "He just started to idle in front but did it quite nicely. I was wondering how well he'd go on that ground and he took me there the whole way and settled very well.

"He jumped superb and when push came to shove he found a lot but just got a bit lonely in front.

"He has massively found his way again and that was good from him today."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes