Important wins for Hand & Dunne Important Message recorded his first success over flights, as he ran out a comfortable winner of the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle. The ex-Godolphin owned eight-year-old spent time with both Denis Hogan and James McAuley before making his debut for David Dunne at Fairyhouse in April of 2019. Placed on his penultimate start, the son of New Approach proved easy-to-back this afternoon, going off a 14/1 chance (6s in place this morning). Towards the head of the affairs for much of the contest, the Danny Hand ridden gelding went clear from three out and kept up the gallop from there, going on to score by eight and a half lengths. Miraculum, who was returned the 5/2 favourite, finished second under Conor McNamara for Gavin Cromwell, while the fellow Cromwell trained Ainmisfearr (25/1) was another five lengths back in third. Dunne said afterwards: "The last time he ran over two-and-a-half he got there too soon and on the heavy ground didn't get home. "We were holding him up to get the two-and-a-half but obviously he gets it well on good ground. "He's a lazy bugger at home but he was on his toes today so I thought he was going to be a bit keen and fresh. "He had a little break and I think that's helped him freshen up. I think he's a horse that would run better fresh. "He'll go on soft but he doesn't want heavy ground. He could also be a horse that could go to Dundalk or Wolverhampton as he has an attractive Flat mark. "The way he stayed there I think two miles on the Flat would be perfect for him. "He actually ran here on the Flat last year, and we really fancied him, but he got struck into turning for home and threw in the towel. "I have him entered back here in the two miler next Wednesday and I was thinking coming near the line 'Danny go easy!' and save a bit. "He didn't look to have a hard race there. I presume the handicapper is going to put him up a bit so we'll go again. "Danny was over cutting timber for me recently and instead of paying him a few quid I said I'd give him the ride on something!" Additional reporting by Gary Carson
