All sweet for Popcorn Popcorn landed the odds in good style when claiming the Holy Cross Maiden Hurdle at Thurles. Patrick Mullins bounced the 4/7 shot out in front and he was left clear when Academy Rose crashed out at the second last. She had looked a likely danger to the eventual winner but her exit, and in turn the hampering of the long-time prominent King Lir, left Popcorn to come home an easy seven-length winner over 50/1 shot Silver Chief. It was compensation for trainer Willie Mullins, who saw another odds-on shot, in Killutagh Queen, turned over in the opener. "He was probably lucky today. The horse that fell appeared to be travelling quite well," said Mullins afterwards. "He needs an extra half mile or even a mile. He's a real chaser for next year. We'll try and win another hurdle and he'll go for a winner's race over 2m4f or further. "The ground was probably too dry for him today and he'll wait for rain before he runs again." Davy Russell, who suffered a heavy fall from Academy Rose, was diagnosed with a bruised wrist and was stood down for the rest of the day.
