McCurtin doubles up aboard Crosshouse Boy

Ambrose McCurtin completed a quickfire 21/1 double as Crosshouse Boy opened his account at the tenth attempt over hurdles in the Happy Easter To All Our Patrons Opportunity Maiden Hurdle at Clonmel.

The Eugene O’Sullivan-trained gelding asserted approaching the penultimate flight and, after a fine jump at the last, the 7/1 shot galloped on strongly to score by six lengths. Housemartin edged out Simpatico for the runner-up spot.

McCurtin was also on the mark in the previous handicap chase where Emancipator justified 7/4 favouritism in runaway fashion.

O'Sullivan said, "He is a lovely horse, is well bred and he ran very well on his first couple of runs. He disappointed in the middle of the winter but I think it was the ground and we brought him back at Limerick three weeks ago after a break and he just got tired turning in. He stayed on well today.

"He'll be a summer horse and will go chasing eventually.

"I don't think it was a fantastic race but the syndicate will have plenty of fun for the summer."

(TW & AM)