Jewel of a La Touche

The longest race in Irish racing resulted in the tightest of finishes as Another Jewel just got the better of fellow 100/30 chance Let The Show Begin in a terrific renewal of the Avon Ri Corporate & Leisure Resort-sponsored La Touche Cup.

Let The Show begin took the wrong course in the latter stages of the Ladies Cup here on Tuesday but there was no such problems on this occasion as Ciaran Murphy's mount took the field along at a sensible pace over the four miles and a furlong marathon.

John Cullen stalked the leader all the way aboard Another Jewel and, after surviving an anxious moment when slipping on the tight bend approaching the second last, the pair set down for a titanic battle in the straight.

Both horses met the last on a perfect stride, and it was Another Jewel (third in this race last year) who just prevailed by a short-head.

The likely hot-favourite Garde Champetre was taken out about an hour beforehand on veterinary advice with trainer Enda Bolger, who has dominated this race in recent times, relying on Heads Onthe Ground (third) and Outlaw Pete (fourth).

It was amble compensation for trainer Denis Murphy, whose Not To Pushed and Theroadtocroker both failed to negotiate the bend before two out when holding every chance in the Ladies Cup on Tuesday.

Murphy said: “He has loads of experience around here and that helped. Please god he's okay and we'll go to Lyon again this year. Let the party begin!”

Alan Magee