Xsquared completes five-timer in style

Xsquared completed a five-timer when taking the Guinness Harp Novice Chase in fine style at Galway.

The dual-purpose gelding has won five times, three times over fences and twice on the Flat, inside the past two months and his career tally now stands at ten wins. Hurricane Ben soon asserted after Bryan Cooper was unseated from Title Roll in a nasty-looking incident just before the last. Cooper was taken to hospital for examination.

However the Peter Fahey-trained Xsquared powered up the hill for Kevin Sexton, and stretched clear in the closing stages to score by six lengths.

Hurricane Ben took the runner-up spot, with Nverushacon another length and a quarter back in third.

Mark Bolger ’s reins broke on Neverushacon between the two fences in the dip, and he was uninjured after being unseated after the line. Bolger was replacing Robbie Power, who suffered a complex fracture of his eye socket in a fall here yesterday.

Fahey said, “We only got him in January and he’s been fantastic and is so tough. Kevin said we could step him up in trip, and that would give him more options as well. He could come back here for a Graded race later in the year if the ground is suitable.

“This is what it’s all about, winning here at the Festival.”