Aspire Tower and Darragh O'Keeffe pictured on their way to victory, with Pied Piper in behind© Photo Healy Racing
Aspire Tower got a confidence boosting win to his name when making all in the feature at Punchestown this afternoon, the William Hill Committed To Top Prices Hurdle.
A dual Grade 2 winner, the Henry de Bromhead-trained eight-year-old was out of action from April of 2021 to October of last year.
Campaigned mostly over fences since and a faller when last seen at Leopardstown, the Robcour-owned bay was sent off an 11/4 chance this afternoon.
Sent straight to the front by Darragh O'Keeffe, he made a mistake at the fifth and again wasn't fluent three out.
Despite this, he ultimately found plenty for pressure when ridden before the last and came home three and a half lengths clear of Eagle Fang (17/2).
Expected to take this four-runner affair, Pied Piper (4/9f) didn't jump with fluency and made a dreadful mistake at the fourth.
Beaten in third at the time, he fell heavily at the last, but emerged unscathed along with his partner Jack Kennedy.
"It's great to get him back as he took a very heavy fall in Leopardstown last season. He was very sore after it, so it was great to get him back," Robbie Power, representing de Bromhead, commented.
"This looked a nice opportunity for him, a small field, and it will do his confidence the world of good.
"He was a 160-rated hurdler at one stage so hopefully we can get him back to somewhere near that level.
"It's a nice win and a great start to the season and we'll look at what options are for him over hurdles and fences."
STEWARDS REPORT
The Raceday Stewards interviewed O.R. Brown, rider of Eagle Fang, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who stated that he didn't connect with the horse on a few occasions and that it is a style issue on his behalf. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that O.R. Brown was in breach of R.10.3(g)(frequency) and having considered his record in this regard (second offence), they suspended him for four racedays.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
