Crosshill delights Harrington in Punchestown

Crosshill rallied to winning effect under Robbie Power in the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel Hurdle at Punchestown.

He was under pressure in second on the home bend behind 6/4 favourite Fils d'Oudairies but the pair were soon swamped by Classic Getaway who surged to the front before the last.

Classic Getaway was a shade hesitant jumping it, though, and Fils d'Oudairies hadn't gone away on his inner. It got tight for the latter on the rail on the run-in and it was Crosshill who came home best on the outer to get up in the closing stages at 15/2.

He won by a neck from Classic Getaway (5/1) with Fils d'Oudairies a head away in third, however, the stewards reversed the placings of the placed horses after an enquiry.

Jessica Harrington said: “It’s my favourite race (won it in 2021 and 2016) ! He lost his confidence over fences and was jumping off to one side so it’s fantastic to get that back.

“It wasn’t straightforward today but he’s very tough and he stays very well.

“Robbie gave him a great ride and there is no better rider around here.

“I don’t know if he’ll go back over fences. Maybe in the summer on good ground he might enjoy it. He’s tough and hardy.”

Power said: "Yeah, they did (cheekpieces worked) - he has been a very, very frustrating horse. He has got an awful lot of ability and didn't quite take to jumping fences the way we hoped he would.

"He had a run over hurdles in Thurles the last day and ran well. Jessie (Harrington) has done a great job with him, he has really come to himself in the last couple of weeks.

"He does (run in snatches), he has gone behind the bridle a lot. He used to be keen but we thought coming here he had a good chance today and thankfully the cheekpieces have worked the magic.

"I actually thought turning in I had Nico (de Boinville on Fils d'Oudairies) covered but Danny (Mullins on Classic Getaway) picked up on the outside and flew past us and I thought 'oh, that's the race over' but to be fair to this lad, he stuck his head down."

The Stewards enquired into possible interference in the closing stages of this race involving Classic Getaway, ridden by D.E. Mullins, placed second and Fils D'oudairies (FR), ridden by N. de Boinville, placed third, where it appeared that interference may have occurred. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. D. E. Mullins stated that he manoeuvered towards the rail after the last and was not aware that Fils D'oudairiers was on his inner until there was contact, at which point he corrected his mount. N. De Boinville stated that he received a bump from his outer, rubbed the running rail and felt that it had cost him second place. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that Classic Getaway had caused interference to Fils D'oudairies and as a result of this interference had improved it’s finishing position. As a consequence, the Stewards reversed the placings of the second and third placed horses. Furthermore, the Stewards were of the opinion that D. E. Mullins was in breach of Rule 214, in that he had ridden carelessly, and having considered his record in this regard they suspended him for two racedays.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee