Following a fine seasonal reappearance when falling at the second last in the Hatton's Grace behind Solerina, Fota Island was expected to make the most of a drop in class in the featured Horse And Jockey Hotel Hurdle at Thurles today.
However those who supported the odds-on shot were left disappointed, as the Mouse Morris-trained gelding, who led from before the fifth, couldn't raise his effort as the tempo quickened in the straight.
Main rival, Stacumny Bridge proved well-up to taking his chance, quickening well to hit the front before the last in the hands of Timmy Murphy, and lengthening away in good style on the run in for a 1 1/2L success.
Winning handler, Michael Halford said 'he wants further, and the longer the race went on today the better he was going. He's not an easy horse to place and I'm looking forward to sending him chasing next season.'
Another trainer more closely associated with racing on the level, Ger Lyons was on the mark with Pedina in the following maiden hurdle. Ruby Walsh was aboard the 6/1 shot who disposed of the favourite, Boleyknowsbest by 4 1/2L.
Lyons commented afterwards 'I think the world of this horse but he disappointed when I strongly fancied him at Cork last Sunday. That run was too bad to be true and now hopefully he can be placed to win a novice event.'
Lime Supreme seemed to have attained a chase mark that would give her a strong chance of making a winning handicap bow in the opener. Soon in front under Shay Barry, Eamonn Sheehy's mare had this contest won some way from home, crossing the line an easy 9L victor.
Despite not scoring in quite as emphatic style as that, Hume Castle put up a good tough staying performance to take the other chase on the programme. Shouldering top-weight under Barry Geraghty, the well-backed second fav, took over the running after three out.
Kept up to his job in the straight, Jessica Harrington's charge was quite a comfortable winner at the line, and despite coming back with a couple of 'nicks', the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown next Saturday could be his next port of call.
Louis Archedeacon was only notified at 11.30 that his Look Between Us, second reserve for the h'cap hurdle would get a run. The Cork trainer was confident that his 6yo could make the most of the opportunity and he didn't go un-backed as a 10/1 chance.
Leighton Aspell took the ride and despite looking to have plenty to do away from the second last, the former winning 'pointer' stayed on powerfully to gain a head victory.
The 'Rebel' county also supplied the winner of the other h'cap hurdle. Here Gerry Cully's Sixtino ended up the 11/4 fav, after being well-supported at morning prices and the German-import justified the confidence of those who invested in the gamble.
Cully explained after Andrew Leigh had steered the grey to a 2 1/2L win, that it was a case of getting the Flat-bred healthy and that he was confident the son of Linamix would reverse form with the trio who had finished in front of him at Clonmel last time.
Niall Madden won the bumper for the second day running aboard Noel Meade's newcomer, Lance.
