Burrenbridge Lodge (far side) jumps the last alongside runner-up Minsk© Photo Healy Racing
The much hyped hurdling debut of the Dessie Hughes-trained Minsk failed to live up to expectations as the 4/6 favourite had to play second fiddle to Kieran Purcell's Burrenbridge Lodge in the Grade 2 Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle.
Having won three races in-a-row for John Oxx on the level last summer (including the Irish Cesarewitch) Minsk was expected to win today on his hurdling debut before heading to Cheltenham for a crack at the Triumph Hurdle.
However things didn't go to plan as the Barry Connell owned gelding couldn't match Burrenbridge Lodge on the run-in and went down by a neck at the line under Bryan Cooper.
The Noel Meade-trained Bat Masterson ran on well for Davy Condon to finish a further short head back in third at the odds of 7/1.
The winner, who was ridden by Tom Doyle, was recording his fourth success over hurdles and his first in Graded company. He had in fact won the very first Juvenile Hurdle of the season at Roscommon back in August.
The son of Ivan Denisovich was last seen finishing a good fifth behind Hisaabaat in the Grade 1 Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown and was sent off at 8/1 this afternoon.
Winning trainer Kieran Purcell said afterwards: "He will go for a break now. It's been a long season for him and he deserves it.
"We may bring him to Punchestown for the Grade 1 Juvenile Hurdle and he may have a sharpener on the flat before that."
Dessie Hughes trainer of the runner-up Minsk said afterwards: "I thought we had him covered at the last but he looked at it. If he had pinged the last I think he would have won.
"I wouldn't use the ground as an excuse as none of them would have really liked it. I’m happy and disappointed."
Barry Connell owner of Minsk said afterwards: "I'll still let him take his chance in the Triumph and that will be his only other run over hurdles this season."
Minsk drifted considerable for the Triumph Hurdle after his defeat and can now be backed at 14/1 with Boylesports from 5/1, while Ladbrokes go even longer at 16/1 (from 6/1).
The Tom George-trained Baby Mix, who won at Kempton earlier today is now the new favourite for the Triumph with Boylesports at 5/1. Stan James go just 9/2, while they have pushed out Minsk to 14/1 (from 9/2).
