Tough Henry battles to victory

Aside from Uranna s eclipse in the opener things have gone along expected lines at Naas, and in race four the 13/8 favourite Hurry Henry got the job done, but only just, under Andrew Lynch in the Annual Membership At Naas Maiden Hurdle.

Backed in from 2/1 on track, Hurry Henry, on the mark in a Cork bumper on the same weekend last year, upstaged the sweet-travelling Hurricane Darwin from between the last two.

The Blueprint gelding's supporters and connections soon had a big worry in Barry Geraghty's mount Fairly Legal as he threw down a strong bid.

In a rousing finish Hurry Henry held on by a neck.

Winning trainer Henry de Bromhead said: "We've had a lot of seconds recently and it's great to get that. He was very tough and stayed at it well.

"He wants a stiff two miles, and the heavier the ground the better. He nearly wants it unraceable. Like most of ours he's a real chaser.

"We'll have to step him up and he could go for a Listed novice hurdle at Punchestown near the end of the month. There is also a Listed two-mile novice back here in March."

M.J. Bolger, rider of Highland Rebel trained by Peter Croke, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount made a noise in running and was pulled up thereafter.

(AM & EM)