The clash of national hunt superpowers of JP McManus and Gigginstown Stud in the INH Stallion Owners EBF Novice Hurdle at Thurles today resulted in McManus' Oscar's Advance winning with a fair performance, under Tony McCoy.
On form, the race looked a match between Oscar's Advance (1/1 fav) and Drunken Disorderly (5/4) with the latter looking the most likely winner following a bad slip on landing at the third last from Oscar's Advance.
However, Oscar's Advance battled gamely and soon hit top gear, eventually getting to the front on the run to the final flight, before recording a comfortable 4 1/2l win.
Winning trainer Christy Roche was pleased with performance and reported 'he did it well but I have no immediate plan for him.'
Cashmans Bookmakers cut Oscar's Advance to 20/1 (from 25/1) for the Sun Alliance Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.
The first flight fall of 7/4 favourite Orpen Guama in the Cahir 3YO Maiden Hurdle resulted in a five horse pile-up at that obstacle, while leader Rince Donn ran out at the next.
However, the contest did provide a good winner when Willie Mullins' Clear Riposte easily accounted for the remaining rivals to win by a not extended twenty lengths.
Afterwards Mullins reported 'Clear Riposte did nothing wrong there and jumped brilliantly. She may run in a winners race before Christmas.'
Of those jockeys injured in the first flight incident, luckless Keith Hadnett suffered a possible break to his upper left arm, while Sean McDermott and David Flannery both suffered suspected fractures to their left shoulder blades.
The opening www.thurlesraces.ie Beginners Chase went to Mouse Morris' Skibb, gaining an overdue second career success.
Capably handled by Conor O'Dwyer, Skibb was held up in the early stages before makign steady progress to head New Field on the run to the final fence, eventually scoring by nine lengths.
Morris later reported 'Skibb has loads of ability but finds it hard to reproduce it on the day. He jumps super and should have a reasonable mark for handicaps after that.'
Persistence paid off for connections of What A Native, who overcame a losing run stretching back to December 2000, when running out an easy seven length winner of the Templemore Handicap Chase
Ridden by David Casey, winning trainer Charlie Swan later reported 'I am relieved after that as What A Native has broken down twice since his last win and has been hard to train as a result.'
He added 'the horse jumps right but hangs left and hopefully the handicapper wont be too severe on him now.'
Liam Burke's Sir Frederick caused a minor surprise to win the Clonoultry Hurdle under a strong Davy Russell ride.
According to Burke 'that was a bit of a surprise as Sir Frederick wasn't fast enough over that trip (2m2f) last season. However Davy said he is a better horse this year.'
He added 'chasing is his game but he may be kept hurdling this season.'
Jockey Brian Byrnes is steadily making a name for himself and he was on board Seamus Braddish's Nine O, 3l winner of the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle.
