Tarla too strong for Fitz in Cork test

In a real 'war of attrition' at Cork, it was Tarla that saw out the two and a half miles of the www.racinghomeforeaster.com Hurdle best, to defeat favourite, Rebel Fitz by five lengths.

The victorious French-bred daughter of Lavirco, seemed to be doing enough in David Casey's hands up front, given the gruelling nature of the conditions.

However to her great credit she had more in the locker when tackled by Rebel Fitz up the straight.

From a Rebel Fitz viewpoint, things began to look worrying from before the fourth last. In fairness to Mick Winters' stable-star, he found more for pressure but he was no match for Tarla from before the last.

Casey rode Tarla for Mrs Susannah Ricci and Willie Mullins and the County Waterford-rider explained: "She did it well but it's hard to make the running in that wind.

"She jumped well and she galloped away well. She does everything well.

"It's good to get her confidence back (after two falls over fences). I'm not sure of plans but of course he (Mullins) usually has one!"

Mick Winters summed up Rebel Fitz's performance as follows: "At any distance we would have been in trouble and he just ran a middle of the road type of race.

"I couldn't really blame the ground or distance too much. He was fierce relaxed and maybe he's still a bit tired from his trip to Cheltenham (went across to Brightwells Sale to accompany his former stablemate, Allow Dallow).

"We'll sweeten him up and look at Fairyhouse. He wants better ground and he will be going chasing in May." (TW & EM)