Smooth from Ben in novice hunters

He had to side-step his way around faller, Fortune Bound six out, but otherwise it was pretty straight-forward for the odds-on Hurricane Ben (4/6) in the Glenview And Rathbarry Stud Novice Hunters Chase at Tipperary.

The Tramore winner led approaching two out and he was clear before the last under Ciaran Fennessy, for an easy eighteen length victory over Kilcolman Hill

"Our one worry today was the ground as he needs nice ground," revealed successful handler James Sheehan.

"I got him last October and with the work he had done, I couldn't believe he was still a maiden. He had a few issues though and confidence is a big thing for him.

"He might hold his own in a novice chase later on, but we'll see what (handicapper) Noel O'Brien says and maybe look at a two and a half mile handicap chase at Kilbeggan on June 20th."

(TW & EM)