Easy for Hu Ha Jo and the Punters

On an evening when the punters definitely had the better of the exchanges, Hu Ha Jo became the fifth winning favourite or joint favourite (the other two races went to well-backed second market-choices). This fellow ran out a silk-smooth four and a half length victor of the concluding Waterford & Tramore Supporters Club Handicap Hurdle.

The son of Gulland was following up a Wexford win from last Friday evening. He was due to go up 12Ibs for that, so in theory the six-year-old was 6Ib 'well-in.' With Conor Maxwell claiming 7Ibs off his back, it was understandable that he would start so short for a handicap.

Maxwell got a fall from Sue Sue earlier on the programme and rode Hu Ha Jo with a badly bruised arm. However he only had to do the minimum to keep trainer, Caroline Hutchinson's fantastic recent run going. (EM)