Flood the wizard

Francis Flood, on the mark with Natural Storm at Punchestown yesterday, saddled another winner when Bobsthewizard landed a touch in the 2m6f handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse.

The Bob Back gelding, supported from 8/1 in to 6/1, was never far off the pace, leading three out and staying on strongly for Mark Walsh to beat 13/8 favourite Lochan Lacha by two and a half lengths.

'The ground was better than on his previous run at Limerick where it was like a bog. We'll find another handicap and, although he's not over big, he'll jump a fence,' said Flood.

The winner is out of the former Pat Fahy-trained Dun Belle, a four-time winner over fences and second to Dorans Pride in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup of 1998.