Cross another for in-form Doyle

Eoin Doyle recorded his third winner in as many days, as his Ardera Cross took the www.seednecessities.com Handicap Hurdle in first time cheekpieces.

Doyle was on the mark at Gowran on Wednesday with Fiesole, while he was successful yesterday evening with St Lawrence Gap.

Ardera Cross, who is a chestnut son of Shantou, won over the course last December, and was sent off a 6/1 chance today after finishing second at Killarney on his last start.

Settled in mid-division by Brian O'Connell, he was left in a closer fifth at the fourth. He came with his challenge on the outer before the second last, and was ridden to the front before the final flight, keeping on well from there to score by three lengths. War Of The Pennys (14s to 11s), who won this race twelve months ago, came through to take second under Eddie Keating for Don Cashman, while the 5/1 favourite The Informer was a neck back in third for Shane Butler and Seamus Fahey.

O'Connell said afterwards: "It was a bit of sickener falling at the last on Dorkas but that is a bit of compensation now.

"When you are riding for the likes of Eoin Doyle and Shay Barry here you are always going to be knocking on the door. That's two winners for Eoin now (at the Festival) and long may it last.

"I'd say he probably bumped into a well-handicapped horse (Lizzies Champ) of Pat Kelly's the last day and we fancied him tonight. The only worry was at the start, but lucky enough he went away without a hitch."

Eoin Doyle wasn't present for the win. The Mooncoin based handler was at a hurling game involving his local club.

STEWARDS REPORT

P.D. Kennedy, rider of Dontbackme trained by P.G. Fahey, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount made a mistake at the second last hurdle with a circuit to run and never travelled thereafter, eventually being pulled up.