Loughran makes winning return aboard Glen The lightly raced gelding Glenbarrow made most of the running to take the Moate Handicap Hurdle over 2m 3f in convincing fashion for his trainer Dessie Hughes with Roger Loughran aboard. Loughran was having his first ride back since fracturing his left foot from a fall at Gowran on March 10th. The winner, who is an 8yo son of Old Vic (also the sire of previous race winner E Mac), was having just his sixth career start this evening. He won his maiden hurdle on his debut at Limerick back in April of 2008 and then finished a good sixth behind Solwhit at the Punchestown Festival later that month. On his next start he disappointed at Roscommon in September of the same year finishing seventh in a hurdle which was won by Cabin Point. He made his return to the racecourse from over three years off at Gowran in February where he pulled up in the race won by Up For The Match while he ran much better on his next start over 2m to finish fifth behind On My Own at Cork in March. Today he led after the second hurdle and went clear from before the straight, staying on well to record a comfortable four and a half length win over 20/1 shot Irish Poli for Pat Martin and Mark Enright back in second. Point the Toes for Paul Fahey finished a further head back in third at 5/1 while Audrelles Lad was a short head behind in fourth for Oliver Brady at 20/1. Winning trainer Dessie Hughes said afterwards: "I thought he was on a reasonable mark and he ran well the last day at Cork. "We thought he needed a bit further (after Cork) and he looks like he will make a nice chaser." Donal Murphy & Alan Magee
