General finally rules on faster surface

Roman General ended a frustrating sequence of placings both on the Flat and over jumps when taking the two-mile maiden hurdle at Tipperary.

A number of withdrawals due to the good to firm ground notably Lord Adare and Killeena House resulted in Enjoy Responsibly going off at short odds.

The 11/10 favourite (from 15/8) adopted front-running tactics under Kevin Sexton, and looked set to justify the confidence when travelling strongly early in the straight.

However the distress signals went up approaching the last, and Ger Fox swept past aboard Roman General on the run-in.

The 8/1 chance was two and a quarter lengths clear at the line, with Knockrea in third.

Winning trainer Liam Cusack said, “He was due a win and kept creeping up the handicap for running well. I felt he was a bit high and in a bit of a no man’s land.

“I stupidly ran him up north the last day when I saw a small field but he didn’t handle it (heavy ground). We just decided to claim 7lb off him today to give him every chance.”

(TW & AM)