Blazing bounces back to form

Blazing Sonnet fended off all challengers as she took the John The Tote Go Racing Club Handicap Hurdle for Willie Austin and Andrew Leigh.

The seven-year-old daughter of Oscar disappointed on her last two outings but before that she won her maiden hurdle at Clonmel in February.

She hit the front before the last but a poor jump there let Muzak to come with a renewed challenge.

However she picked up well after that mistake to come home a length and a quarter to the good.

Muzak had to settle for second at 6/1 under Davy Condon for John Monroe while Friendly Society (14/1) was a head back in third under Adrian Heskin for Michael Hourigan.

The John Joe Walsh trained Sligo Publican completed the placings a length and a quarter back in fourth at 12/1 while the 5/1 favourite (backed from 8/1 on-course) Monelissio could only manage fifth for Peter Casey and Jody McGarvey.

Willie Austin said afterwards: "I didn’t get a chance to look at the calendar yet but she will run in another handicap next.

"The ground is heavy out there and she mightn’t run for a fortnight. Hopefully she’ll win another handicap and she’ll go chasing in November.

"If the ground improves it won’t bother her."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes