Irish Point Aintree bound after Grade 3 success

Irish Point runner-up twice in Grade 1 company this season, appreciated the drop in class to land odds of 1/4 in the Bar One Racing ‘Guaranteed Overnight Prices’ Kingsfurze Novice Hurdle.

The Grade 3 event was run at a sedate pace with Davy Russell allowed to dictate on the Gordon Elliott-trained hot-pot before quickening from the front after two out.

The Robcour-owned gelding was pushed out on the run-in to beat No Looking Back who put up a highly creditable effort conceding 10lb, by a length and a quarter.

Elliott’s assistant Ian ‘Busty’ Amond said, “They went slow and he was able to do his own thing. He wasn’t doing much in front but Davy said he wants that type of ground.

“He was stepping down in grade and it was straight forward for him. It was a bit of a sprint from the second last.

“He’ll probably go to Aintree and could run over two miles or two and a half.”