Dan Dan bounces back to his best

Classy hurdler Oscar Dan Dan bounced back to his best as he landed a dramatic Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase for his trainer Tony Martin with Niall Madden aboard by three and a quater lengths.

As they raced towards the second last market principles Bagber (8/11fav) and Spanish Auriga (7/2) looked to have it between them. However a bad mistake by the favourite there left the 7/2 shot clear under Robbie Power.

He jumped the last in front but couldn't manage to fend off the challenge of Oscar Dan Dan on the run-in and finished back in third with Ross Na Righ (8/1) getting up for second.

The winner was bought by Martin for £42,000 at the Doncaster Bloodstock Sales, Horses in Training Sale on May 24th last year from the Tom Mullins yard.

When with Mullins the son of Oscar won six over hurdles including the 2009 Grade 1 Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse and two Grade 2’s.

He also finished sixth in the 2010 World Hurdle behind Big Buck's and fifth behind Oscar Whisky in last year's Aintree Hurdle.

On what was just his third start for Martin today and his third start over fences, the bay gelding was returned at 9/1.

Winning trainer Tony Martin said afterwards: "I train him for my mother Marie. It took him a while to get his jumping right. He is not over big but has a bit of class and that came through in the end."