Sobrando comes out on top in driving finish

The Mark McNiff trained Sobrando Lodge came out on top in a driving finish to the Ring Of Fire Handicap Hurdle with Mick Darcy in the saddle.

The 7yo son of Hawk Wing showed good form earlier in his career when trained by Frank Ennis but had shown very little of late.

Sent off at 12/1 he raced in rear early on before making headway from three out.

He was ridden in a close fifth after the second last and stayed on well to narrowly lead close home and win by half a length.

The Emmet Butterly trained Brabazon finished second at 6/1 under Keith Donoghue while the Sean Doyle trained Worrel Creek was a nose back in third under Harley Dunne at 20/1. Flying Bella was sent off the 4/1 favourite for Yvonne Dunleavy but she could only manage fifth under Davy Russell who replaced Paul Townend.

Winning owner Brendan Flynn from Sligo said afterwards: "We were really worried about the ground as we thought he wanted it good.

"He was only half a length behind Rebel Fitz in a bumper but he hadn’t reproduced that form since.

"I want to give a big thanks to Philip Enright who rode him from the front the last day and said he wanted the exact opposite."

(On-course reporting by Michael Graham)