Credit makes it third time lucky over hurdles

Letter Of Credit trained by Gerry Lynch and ridden by Barry Geraghty took the spoils in the CCTV Venue Control Maiden Hurdle as the 5/4 favourite Mount Benbulben slipped up.

The winning 6yo son of Bob Back was second best in the betting at 2/1 and had the experience of having two runs over hurdles to his name.

He finished a good third behind Rebel Fitz on his hurdling debut at Clonmel last month before finishing third yet again at Punchestown last time out behind Il Fenomeno.

Last season he won two bumpers and finished a respectable sixth in the Grade 1 Champion Bumper at the Punchestown Festival.

Having chased the leaders in the early stages, he moved into second approaching the straight. From their he challenged the leader The Ethiopian and soon led, drawing clear to win easily by four and three parts of a length. Ted Dolly who was making his debut over hurdles, kept on well to take second at 14/1 while the aforementioned The Ethiopian was a further length and a half back in third at 12/1.

The favourite Mount Benbulben under Paul Carberry slipped up on the run to the second last when still travelling well. Thankfully both horse and rider came away none the worse.

Winning trainer Gerry Lynch, who trains out the road in Craughwell, said afterwards: "Barry said he got a bit hampered at the second last. He's a fair tool and will go to Cheltenham next month for a Novice Hurdle over 2m 5f.

"He needs a trip because he is not a 2m horse."