Aintree Grand National hopes Dun Doire and Point Barrow had to give best to
In The Loop in the Tennent's No.1 Chase at Down Royal.
The pair were held up towards the rear in the three-and-a-quarter-mile
contest and Dun Doire looked the likely winner when cruising up on the turn
for home.
However, leader In The Loop (8-1) would not go down without a fight and
asserted on the run-in to score by four and a half lengths under Roger
Loughran, with Point Barrow in third.
The winner's trainer Roy Wilson is targeting the Scottish Grand National as
he does not expect his charge to get in the Fairyhouse version.
Prince Of Leisure made a winning debut under rules with an effortless
success in the Hoegaarden Beginners Chase, although the race was rendered
less competitive after the odds-on Offaly unshipped Paul Carberry mid-race.
The eight-year-old, who finished third behind the smart Snowy Morning in a
2006 point-to-point, cruised to the front turning for home in the three-mile
contest and careered away on the bridle to score by 10 lengths from Earl Of
Kilcombe.
Wins Now suffered a shock reverse in the Richard Browne & Sons Ltd Hurdle at
Wexford.
Niall Madden was looking distinctly uncomfortable even before the 1-3
favourite took over from Loughanelteen approaching the second-last, and no
answer was forthcoming when Call Me Max came to challenge.
Eoin Doyle's six-year-old (10-1) jumped the final flight in front and went
on to score by a comfortable four and a half lengths under Shay Barry, and
will try to follow up at the Fairyhouse Easter meeting.
Frances Crowley's King Of Prussia (14-1) joined long-time leader Pillar Of
Hercules at the third-last in the Hamford Stud Maiden Hurdle and ran on
stoutly under Tom Doyle to beat Strolling Home by two and a half lengths,
with luckless favourite Sebadee third.
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