Power made to work hard for Moonshine win

Moonshine Bay put in a workmanlike performance to take the Belfast Live Hurdle under Robbie Power for Jessica Harrington.

Eighth in a competitive handicap at the Punchestown Festival, the five-year-old gelding was expected to win today, and went off an even money chance.

Settled in rear, the son of Milan was pushed along from early. He took closer order from four out, but looked in trouble when ridden in second from two out.

However he was responded well to the whip and swept through to lead before the last, keeping on well on the run-in to score by three and three parts of a length. The Conditional (11/4 to 2s) ran on to take second under Andrew Lynch for Martin Hassett, while the front-running Tourboy faded back to third.

Kate Harrington said afterwards: "He made hard work of that but he got the job done. He'll probably head to the field now and go chasing next autumn.

"He's a massive chasing type and he's only going to improve over the winter with a summer grass under his belt.

"He's a proper stayer and hopefully he might turn into one of those kind of National-type horses in a couple of years time."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham