John 'Shark' Hanlon and Emmet Mullins were unlucky when Melon Delta crashed out at the last when looking assured of victory at Thurles on Thursday but the pair bounced back with a bang when Blood Diamond bolted up by twelve lengths in the Kells Handicap Hurdle.

Backed in from 20/1 this morning to lower than his starting price of 10/1, the Tony Gannon-owned four-year-old, in his second outing in handicap company, led before two out and effortlessly stretched clear to account for Lady Hillingdon

Hanlon said: "Good ground is a big help to him. His second last run was a right good run. He'll go to Fairyhouse for a handicap." (EM)