Gilligan Harsh on his rivals in day two opener

Champion conditional Danny Gilligan struck aboard Harsh (17/2) in the Adare Manor Opportunity Series Final Handicap Hurdle at Punchestown.

Joseph O'Brien 's four-year-old gelding was up in trip to an extended 2m3f after finishing fourth in the Boodles over an extended 2m at Cheltenham.

He travelled kindly into contention just off Striking at the penultimate flight which the leader crashed through.

Harsh went up Striking's inner to shade the lead on the home turn and was still tanking along for Gilligan with two furlongs to travel.

He asserted over the last and bounded in by two and three-quarter lengths from a staying-on West Away (22/1). Global Export took third at 80/1 ahead of Como Park (10/1).

Joseph O’Brien said: “He ran well in Cheltenham and the extra couple of furlongs suited him. I thought Danny gave him a very good ride.

“He’s a bit of a monkey and doesn’t like to be in front too soon. He likes a bit of cover.

“In fairness, he got there soon enough today but he kept going well. On the Flat, when he got to the front, he tended to stop but he enjoys hurdling.

“He won’t get into a Galway Hurdle, but may go somewhere in Galway and the Lartigue (in Listowel) is an obvious race for him in the autumn.

“The people that we have some jumpers for have supported us from the very start and they like to have runners at the big Festivals. Anyone that is a racing fan loves to come to Punchestown, Aintree or Cheltenham.”

The winner scored for Gigginstown House Stud.

The Raceday Stewards enquired into an incident in the straight involving Como Park, ridden by M.P. O'Connor, and West Away, ridden by D.A Kidd where it appeared horses came close together. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. M.P. O'Connor stated that he was up front, kept his racing line up the straight, felt pressure from his inside where a horse tried to go for a gap that wasn't there. D.A. Kidd stated that he saw a gap he thought he'd get through and the other horse leans right. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards found D. A. Kidd, was in breach of Rule 214 in that he had ridden carelessly (first offence) and having taken his record into account suspended him for two race days.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee