Count Salazar keeps favourite backers happy

The 7/2 favourite Count Salazar took the Earl Of Harrington Memorial Maiden Hunters Chase for his trainer Eoin Doyle with Pat Collins aboard.

The son of Revoque was recording his third success in-a-row having won his last two starts between the flags at Milltown in Co Kilkenny in November and at Ballindenisk in Co Cork earlier this month.

On what was just his fifth career start and his first on the racecourse the 6yo gelding was always prominent and took up the running five out.

He jumped right and nodded on landing at the second last and jumped right again at the last but kept going to score by two and a half lengths at the line.

Second reserve Spiker The Biker ran well to take second for his trainer Frances Slevin at 25/1 while Thetalkinsover was a further length and a quarter back in third at 12/1 for John Glesson and Declan Queally. Tyrone Golden Rain who opened on track the 10/3 favourite but drifted out to 5/1 was still in with every chance when falling at the second last under Derek O'Connor.

Winning trainer Eoin Doyle said afterwards: "He is tough. He was very impressive when he won at Ballindenisk last time out and he will go for a winners Hunter Chase at Gowran next.

"We will probably stay down that route with him. He jumps great and he just missed the second last where he was lucky not to fall."

The win was Doyle's third winner in the space of a week.