Micro Manage gains overdue hurdle win at 1/8

Willie Mullins was out of luck earlier on the card at Thurles when the odds-on Ciel De Neige was just touched off in the Grade 3 feature but Micro Manage got the champion trainer on the scoresheet when readily justifying prohibitive odds in the Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle.

The classy Flat performer had failed to win in four previous attempts in maiden hurdles but routed his 17 rivals here at odds of 1/8.

Jack Foley made all on the hot-pot and, having stretched well clear before the straight, was far from fluent at the final two flights but still came home on a tight rein. Fanoir was 11 lengths back in second with Simpatico a further nine and a half lengths adrift in third.

Foley said, "I had ridden him a few times at home but it was my first time riding him on the track. He obviously had plenty experience coming here and did it the hard way out in front.

"It was only a case of him getting from A to B and there was plenty left as I couldn't pull him up. I'm not sure what the plan is with him but I'd say he'll have no problem trip-wise, he is versatile."

(TW & AM)