Coldstone defies top-weight under Sexton

The Jimmy Finn owned and trained Coldstonesober recorded his sixth career success as defied top weight in the Students Day 30th September Handicap Hurdle.

Second to Be Seeing You at Bellewstown on his last start the son of Great Palm was as short as 7/2 this morning, opening on-course at 6's before going off an 11/2 chance.

Close-up throughout under Kevin Sexton he improved to dispute after three out.

He was ridden to lead after the next and went a few lengths clear before the last, staying on well on the run-in to score by a length and a half. Ellie Mia stayed on well to take second under Johnny Moore for Jim Dreaper at 12/1 while the 11/8 favourite Disputed could only manage third, a further three and three parts of a length back in third under Jack Kennedy for Gordon Elliott.

Jimmy Finn said afterwards: "He's some servant. That's six he's won now and eight seconds.

"I was a bit worried about the rain (18mm since declaration time) but the stiff finish suited him.

"We'll find a race for him in Galway. If it's good earlier in the week he'll run in a hurdle race or else he could wait for the Lord Hemphill Memorial Handicap Chase on the Sunday."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee