Lord flops as Oscar Chimes delivers

Lord Of Lords was sent off the 4/5 favourite for the Holycross Maiden Hurdle, but he flopped badly as Oscar Chimes landed the spoils, scoring under Ryan Treacy for Fermoy based trainer Michael O’Donovan.

After running in six bumpers without success, the six-year-old son of Oscar ran a fine race on his hurdling at Punchestown recently, finishing just eight lengths third to Faugheen.

Having opened at 11/1 on-course, the bay gelding was backed into 8/1 at the off.

The 'jolly' was prominent in the early stages and he hit the front after the third, under Ruby Walsh for Edward O’Grady, as Oscar Chimes settled in mid-division.

The winner took closer order at the fourth last, and a good jump at the next saw him move into a share of second.

Lord Of Lords continued to lead entering the straight, but he then folded tamely approaching two out, as Oscar Chimes hit the front, and kept on well from there to score comfortably by five and a half lengths. Outlawed Tunes finished back in second under Paul Carberry for Noel Meade at 12/1, while Sir Harry Cash was three parts of a length back in third under Rob Jones for Eric McNamara at 16/1.

Lord Of Lords came home a well-beaten seventh, and Ruby Walsh later reported to the Stewards that his mount hung badly.

Michael O’Donovan, who also owns and bred the winner, said afterwards: "I thought it might be a bit short for him as his pedigree is all about stamina, but we took our chance.

"Racing takes a bit out of him. I was looking at the horses in the parade ring beforehand and he seemed to be the lightest of the lot so we might give him a break."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee