Hilltop Supreme and Rochelle Murphy (right) jump the last ahead of Fierami (centre) © Photo Healy Racing
Hilltop Supreme (9/1, from 9/2 overnight) completed a four-timer over hurdles in the Blackwater (Q.R) Handicap Hurdle.
Patiently and capably handled by Rochelle Murphy, the Mr Dinos gelding made progress in the straight and was on terms when hitting, and jumping right at, the final hurdle.
That manoeuvre carried eventual runner-up Fierami (5/1) into the path of fourth home Rockys Howya on the rail but the placings were left unaltered after a stewards’ enquiry. Shar Whats Therush (9/2 fav) stayed on into third with a length and half a length the margins of victory.
The winning rider partnered her first winner at Gowran Park earlier this month.
Hilltop Supreme began his sequence when winning off a mark of 85 at Fairyhouse in January and, after being brought down early on in a chase next time out, reverted to hurdles to score at Punchestown and Clonmel and won off 107 here.
Winning trainer Davy Fitzgerald based, like Paddy Neville who was amongst the winners earlier on the card, in Askeaton, said: “He was chasing and running well without winning but totally lost his confidence over fences so we decided to go back hurdling because he was well handicapped.
"I'll go to Fairyhouse for a big handicap three-miler if he gets in.
“He is improving and hopefully he will come back here for a Cork National some day."
Quotes from Thomas Weekes
