Townend times Earls run perfectly

Earls Quarter quickened best on the run-in to land the Easyfix Rubber Products Novice Hurdle at Galway.

The 2m2f event was run at a steady pace and the field were bunched up turning for home as Loch Long took over from front-runner Hang On Groovy

The free sweating Rebel Fitz tried to throw down a challenge from the last but the well backed 1/2 favourite (from 8/11) took a while to get into top gear.

Paul Townend had produced Earls Quarter to challenge on the outer and he swooped on the run-in to get to the front in the closing stages.

The 7/2 shot scored by three-parts of a length with Rebel Fitz just getting up to deny Loch Long for second on the line.

The Willie Mullins-trained gelding had been an impressive winner on his debut over timber at Sligo earlier in the month.

The Closutton handler is away in France and Brendan Doyle, the winning owner, said afterwards:-

"We used to think he was an out-and-out two miler but he's been working the house down since Sligo so we decided to come here.

"He's normally an electric jumper but we decided to track Rebel Fitz all the way today. Paul said he jumped alright. He's going to be brilliant over fences.

"I'm surprised he finished so well here over 2m2f and it opens up other options for us.

"He'll have a double penalty at Listowel so we'll probably wait and go for the Grade 3 Joe Mac Novice Hurdle at Tipperary (October 2nd).

"He's a good ground horse and could also go to Cheltenham in November. He's probably not one to keep going during the winter."

Gary Carson