The Powerstown Park Handicap Hurdle looked a difficult puzzle beforehand and so it proved as bottom-weight Cloudy Morning got off the mark at the twelfth attempt at odds of 20/1.

Trained near Bartlemy in Co. Cork by Mike O’Donovan, the six-year-old gelding was one of a number to challenge in the straight. Emmy Lou held every chance of completing a treble on the day for Denis Hogan but a mistake at the last proved crucial as Ryan Treacy’s mount pinged that flight to prevail by three quarters of a length. Fantastic Bob was a further four lengths back in third, with Shanroe Society completing the placings in fourth.

O’Donovan said, “That wasn’t expected. I knew he had ability and he’d been placed in a bumper but he never seemed to do it."

(TW & AM)