Flaxen Flare (Jack Kennedy, left) beats Woodland Opera (Sean O'Keeffe)© Photo Healy Racing
Gordon Elliott saddled a 1-3 after he came out on top in his battle with Jessica Harrington in the 4-runner Betvictor Sliabh Luachra Hurdle at Killarney. Flaxen Flare on his return from a 269 day break was the outsider of the quartet at 7/1.
That didn't stop him upstaging the front-running Woodland Opera over the closing couple of flights to triumph by three lengths under Jack Kennedy.
They left the other Elliott runner Campeador twenty five lengths back in third, whilst Woodland Opera's fellow Harrington runner Magnium (13/8 favourite) finished last, forty nine lengths behind.
"He did it well and jumped brilliant the whole way. He came off it a long way out but he stays galloping, that's what he does, and he did it well in the end," reported Kennedy.
"He is a legend of a horse and always runs his race and it's nice for him to win another one (first since 2015)."
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Magnium, trained by Mrs John Harrington, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be stiff behind and to have a small skin wound on the right hind pastern. Samples were taken for analysis.
P.Townend, rider of Magnium trained by Mrs John Harrington, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount didn't handle the ground and lost his action turning for home, but felt sound thereafter.
(TW & EM)
