Hill made to work for second successive win

A blunder at the last from Mic Milano left the long odds-on favourite Poormans Hill to come home an easy winner of the Leo McMorrow Memorial Novice Handicap Chase.

An easy winner at Downpatrick on Friday, the Gordon Elliott trained six-year-old went up eighteen pounds in that handicap for that success.

He carried just a four pound winners penalty here, and was sent off the 2/9 favourite under Jack Kennedy.

Settled in mid-division, the son of Stowaway took closer order in second from three out, and came off the bridle before the next.

He closed right up on the front-running Mic Milano before the last, and was left clear on the run-in after the leader blundered badly, with Danny Mullins working wonders to keep the partnership intact.

Thirteen lengths separated them at the line, with the runner-up returned at 12/1 for John Ryan.

Ryan also saddled the third horse home, and that was Who's Cross who was all of fifty-three lengths behind.

It was the third winner of the day for Elliott, who took the first at both Sligo and Perth with Penny Jane and Pat's Oscar respectively.

Ian Amond, assistant trainer to Elliott, said afterwards: "Jack thought he was always going to win. He stays well but will probably get another hike for that. Hopefully there will be a few more days in him over hurdles (rated 87)."

STEWARDS REPORT

Niall Moran, trainer of The Drunken Dr reported to the Clerk of Scales that his charge pulled a hind shoe during this race.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee