Review TRAMORE 4TH APR

'He liked the little fences,' was the immediate comment from trainer Francis Flood after he'd just witnessed his The Culdee triumph in the feature race, The Jimmy Griffin Memorial H'cap Chase.

Local jockey Ken Whelan was in the plate and the lightly weighted 8yo had the contest wrapped up when gambled on favourite, Snowy Ford (4/1-11/4) fell at the last.

Flood later elaborated, 'He jumped badly at Limerick last time and didn't like the fences the time before at Navan. He might win again if we keep him to the smaller tracks.'

Westmeath based John Bowles 'really fancied' his Knockanure Lad in a flat race at Leopardstown last Sunday but the 4yo disappointed there finishing second last.

However a hurdle race at this course is quite a different matter and Davy Russell on his first ride since being unseated off Takagi in the National guided the 12/1 chance to a 2 1/2L victory.

A brace for Russell was completed in the h'cap hurdle. Anyone who places relevance in such happenings will have noticed trainer John Carr arrive in a helicopter to watch Stutter run.

The 40-minute spin from Maynooth paid dividends as the consistent chestnut battled gamely on the run in for a 1/2L success over Permiya.

David Casey got significantly further the day before at Liverpool on the gallant Hedgehunter and back at his local course the Wexford domiciled pilot got among the winners in the maiden hurdle.

On Seagull Eile for Kevin O'Brien, Casey took the bull by the horns and struck for home early on the final circuit, the first time blinkered filly finding plenty up the hill for a 4L win.

The Aintree theme continued throughout the afternoon with Michael Hourigan, former trainer of Amberleigh House saddling A New Story to take the 2m 4f h'cap hurdle under Conor O'Dwyer.

A chance ride for O'Dwyer with Ruby Walsh on the sidelines, the 9/4 favourite showed plenty of stamina for a 3 1/2L win to follow up a win achieved two weeks ago at Downpatrick.

Paddys Girl made up for losing her last win on a technicality, Eamonn Sheehy's mare gaining her second win at this venue when making a successful chasing debut under Shay Barry.

Only beaten in a tight finish to the bumper at Aintree yesterday, Niall Madden was back on Irish soil, teaming up with his boss Noel Meade to triumph in the bumper aboard My Native Lad.