Michael Purcell Memorial Novice H´dle (Grade 2) of €45,000.00 5-y-o plus 2m. 4f.

1st - €29,295.00, 2nd - €9,000.00, 3rd - €4,500.00, 4th - €1,800.00 14 Ran

COOLDINE completed a four-timer, including three victories at this track, since the start of the year with a performance of real authority. Ruby Walsh elected to make all on the improving six-year-old gelding and the positive tactics resulted in very few of his 13 rivals getting into the race. Deal Maker and Ballycullen Boy were the only two rivals to keep tabs on the favourite but Cooldine only needed to be shaken up from the second last to quickly go right away.

Willie Mullins was delighted on a number of fronts by this result as the Grade 2 race has been a target for some time, plus it gives him confidence approaching next week as this gelding worked well with a few of his Cheltenham hopefuls after racing at Leopardstown last Sunday. He will be entered for all the two and a half mile and upwards hurdles at the Fairyhouse and Punchestown Festivals including the stayers race at the latter venue.

BALLYCULLEN BOY proved a progressive sort over fences last summer, eventually finishing runner-up in the Kerry National, and this was a solid effort on his return to hurdling. DEAL MAKER was only just run out of it for second place in the closing stages, and he continues to progress along the right lines over this sort of trip.

SCAVENGER was the big disappointment of the race, being ridden along down the back straight and dropping away tamely to finish a well-beaten ninth. The form of the Mouse Morris stable is the cause of some concern with Cheltenham upon us.