Ghareer springs a surprise

By Sinndar out of a Sadler's Wells mare, Ghareer was bred for something other than a 81-116 handicap hurdle at Leopardstown, but the John Morrison-trained seven-year-old proved up to the task to gain his first win since scoring at Saint-Cloud back in May 2007.

Paddy Mangan 's mount didn't go unbacked as a 16/1 chance here and the half-brother to Dermot Weld's Masdar, stayed on well to hold off the fast finishing Ephorus (nicely backed as Davy Russell attempted to ride his third winner in a row) by two and a half lengths.

Morrison had been worried about the ground beforehand and he described Ghareer as "a tough little horse." Sheer Genius was gaining ground in fourth when making a mistake and unseating rider two out.