Kilfenora makes successful return to hurdling

Kilfenora got the better of Call The Taxie after a good duel in the Pertemps Qualifier at Punchestown this afternoon.

The pair fought it out from the second last in the three-miler with Eddie Harty's charge finding more close home to land the spoils.

Call The Taxie was the well backed 3/1 favourite (from 7/1 in the morning) and hit the front jumping the third last.

He was joined by Kilfenora at the penultimate flight and the 12/1 shot got on top on the run-in, under Mark Walsh, to record a half length success.

The winner, who traded as big as 33/1 before racing, was returning to hurdles having pulled up over fences at Leopardstown earlier in the month.

40/1 shot Sort It Out also trained by Harty for JP McManus, finished in a dead-heat for third place.

Patrick Harty, son and assistant trainer, "It was nice to see them both coming back into form.

"It's a year to the day since he won his maiden hurdle. It looked like he was going to hit form when third in a handicap chase at Navan, and he was chucked in the deep end at Leopardstown and just couldn't go that gallop. It suited him today as they hacked around and he was bossing them all the way.

"He has a future over fences but I'd say he'll finish out the season now over hurdles.

"I don't think he'd get in at Cheltenham as he was 127 today and won by half a length so the handicapper would have to give him plenty.

"Those decisions are above my pay grade! I wouldn't be here today only the old man is sick and couldn't make it."

(Quotes by Alan Magee)