Cullen & Loughran on the mark with Dysios

The Denis Cullen trained Dysios recorded his first win since December 2015, as he took the Bennettsbridge Handicap Hurdle in convincing fashion.

The nine-year-old son of Invincible Spirit returned to action on the level at Navan earlier this month, finishing a good third to The Game Changer on his most recent effort over flights at Listowel.

Sent off at 20/1 this afternoon, he was settled in mid-division on the outer by Roger Loughran, and was fifth with a circuit to race.

He took closer order before three out, and was ridden to lead after the next, keeping on well from there to score by ten lengths. Young Turk filled the runner-up spot under Barry Browne for Joseph O'Brien at 10/1, while the easy the back Line Out (7/2 in early shows and from 11/2 to 7s on-course) was another length and a quarter back in third, with Andrew Lynch in the saddle for John Kiely. Eiri Na Casca was sent off the 7/2 favourite and he finished fourth.

"I'm delighted with him. It was his first time over two-and-a-half so it was a bit of a fact finding mission," said Cullen.

"It opens up more opportunities for us over fences as well. This year he's been in particularly good form with himself and he's been training very well.

"He's 119 over hurdles and ran a lovely race in Listowel the last day. Kieron (winning owner Kieron Gammell) is originally from Greystones so hopefully we can get back to Leopardstown.

"He's won there twice already and has been second this year so that's his Gold Cup. If we can get back there at Christmas in good shape it will be the icing on the cake.

"We'll do a bit of pot hunting with him. He has a bit of age on his side now. We stripped a bit of weight off him which is better for him as well.

"We'll mix it now. I was happier to go back hurdling this year after chasing. Sometimes if you mix it too much in their first season they are going down to hurdles and jumping them too big and deliberate.

"I wanted to get a season chasing before I went back mixing it over hurdles. I said I'd give him the season chasing and then we could mix and match.

"He could pop up in a couple of those conditions races. He's a big strong horse but I wouldn't like to be giving away a lot of weight in handicaps.

"All his best form has been on soft or heavy ground so he handles that ground. I'm delighted - it's not easy to get winners."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson