Generator springs another Big surprise

The Paul Nolan trained Big Generator put some very poor recent efforts over fences well behind him, as he sprang a 25/1 surprise in the Tote Mobile Betting Handicap Hurdle.

The seven-year-old son of Generous won his beginners chase at Wexford last October, before falling on his next start at Naas in November.

He returned to action in a handicap chase at Wexford in July, but he disappointingly pulled up there, and he pulled up again on his next start at Killarney over a week later.

Reverting back to hurdles this evening, he was prominent in the early stages before being sent to the front by Walsh approaching the third flight.

He remained in the lead for the rest of the contest, battling gamely on the run-in to hold off the late surge of Corr Point by half a length.

Corr Point, who finished second at Down Royal on Friday last, went off a well-backed 7/2 chance, having opened at 13/2 overnight with Paddy Power, touching 9/2 on-course.

He had to settle for second under Declan Lavery for Colm Murphy, while the 11/4 favourite (4/1 overnight with Paddy Power, and opened at 10/3 on-course) Samantha Jones was two and three parts of a length back in third under Brian Cawley for Mick Winters. Invincible Don completed the placings, a further half a length back in fourth under Gareth Malone for Jim Morrison at 8/1.

Winning owner Jim Mernagh said afterwards: "He had a bad fall in Naas (in November) and we put him over hurdles to get his confidence back.

"He is a half-brother to Aran Concerto and Conor rides him out every day, and he gave him a lovely ride."

Conor Walsh, who is twenty-one, was recorded his third career success aboard Big Generator.

The Jim Culloty trained Brave Solider was withdrawn from the race earlier in the evening with the ground being used as the excuse.

However the Stewards didn't accepted this reason, and after hearing evidence from Culloty and from Clerk of the Course Lorcan Wyer, they fined Culloty €200.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee