Island enjoys better ground at Tramore

The handicapper can feel well pleased with his efforts in the www.tramore-racecourse.com Handicap Hurdle as Ned's Island led them home in a two mile five furlong event where less than three and three parts of a length split the first eight home.

Katie Walsh and King Blue looked a big danger to all on the outer from two out but the J J Slevin-ridden Ned's Indian (12/1) found enough on the run-in to prevail by half a length.

Favourite Show And Go finished off his race well and he was a length back in third.

"I thought the handicapper was a bit hard on him but he was right," admitted winning trainer David O'Brien.

The County Kilkenny handler added: "He is a nice horse and I'd say the better ground really helped him, and the trip.

"Brian O'Connell said to me the day he rode him, up him in trip, so it seems to have paid off.

"I'd say he is a horse than needs a bit of time between races. He might go for a handicap at the Punchestown festival.

"His owner Ned Power loves Punchestown. I'm delighted to get a winner for him, he puts a lot into the game.

"His sons won the Melbourne Cup a couple of years ago with a German trained horse (Protectionist in 2014)."

(DM & EM)