Texas Jack (right) jumps the last with Last Instalment and Baily Green (left)© Photo Healy Racing
< Texas Jack claimed the second Grade Two prize of his career in the Kinloch Brae Chase at Thurles.
After the front-running Prince de Beauchene threw in the towel four from home, Baily Green and Last Instalment went to the head of affairs, with the latter travelling particularly well on his return from a lengthy absence.
But Paul Carberry always had them in his sights on the 4-1 winner and asked him to go past after jumping the last, which he did, although Baily Green rallied gamely to finish just three-quarters of a length in arrears, with Last Instalment another half-length behind in a performance that must have thrilled trainer Philip Fenton.< Byerley Babe (3-1) claimed the scalp of Une Artiste in a pulsating finish to the Fame And Glory & Sans Frontieres Coolmore National Hunt Sires EBF Mares Novice Chase.
Nicky Henderson's British raider was sent off the 6-5 market leader and responded to Barry Geraghty's urgings to take up the running between the last two, but Byerley Babe went with her and they went toe to toe on the run to the line, with Robert Tyner's mare having her head down where it mattered.< Clondaw Court maintained his unbeaten record with victory in the W.T. O'Grady Memorial EBF Novice Hurdle, prompting Willie Mullins to reveal his Cheltenham Festival aspirations for the 4-6 winner.< Mount Colah (6-4 favourite) overcame a blunder at the final fence to make it third-time lucky at the discipline in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase, and his jockey Noel McParlan followed up when driving 10-1 shot Carsonstown Boy to an all-the-way triumph in the Arctic Tack Stud Hunters Chase.
The www.thurlesraces.ie Maiden Hurdle fell to odds-on market leader Kylestyle while Jody McGarvey brought the Grainne O'Connor-trained Sherika with a well-timed challenge to spring a 16-1 surprise in the Matty Ryan Memorial Handicap Chase.
