Coast matches flat form in Grade 3 hurdle

Better prices than his returned 8/1 were availed of this morning about Rich Coast in the Grade 3 Dolores Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle and he won his second race over the two mile trip at Tipperary.

Rich Coast, owned by Phillip Reynolds, is trained by Noel Meade and was ridden by Paul Carberry. Of course that pair could so easily have had a treble at Gowran yesterday with Road To Riches and Cross Appeal so narrowly missing out as well as success for Benemeade.

Here Rich Coast tracked the leaders before leading on the approach to the last. He went on to account for the favourite, Macnicholson by three and a half lengths.

"Antonio, a guy from Argentina that has been with me for years, rides him out as he can be a handful. He rides a lot of horses that can be troublesome – he's a bit of a horse whisperer," revealed Meade.

"He'd been telling me that he was flying but we worked him on the round gallop at home on heavy ground and he went desperate. Paul came off him and said to me that he had to be better than that.

"Antonio was adamant he was still in great form."

The Tu Va handler then added: "He wings hurdles and today was the first time that we saw his flat ability.

"Holding him up hadn't worked and he fought against it. A flat track seems to suit him as well and ground is important – he doesn't like heavy.

"I'd like to run him in the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse but only if the ground isn't too soft." (TW & EM)