Lad follows-up on Sligo success

Dundrum Lad got up close home to beat Oskar High in the Anglo Printers 1890 624 624 Handicap Hurdle.

The Mags Mullins trained seven-year-old, who is a half-brother to Grade 1 winner Backspin, was successful on his most recent outing at Sligo last month.

Sent off at 11/2 this afternoon he was settled behind the leaders by Donal McInerney.

He was ridden in pursuit of the leader Oskar High from two out, getting to the front inside the final 100 yards, before going on to score by a length.

Oskar High (8/1) looked set to score after the last, but he couldn't repel the winner, and had to settle for second under Jack Kennedy for Norman Lee.

The favourite Babanango (5s this morning and from 7/2 to 3/s on-course) was another three and a quarter lengths back in third for Ruby Walsh and Tony Martin.

Mullins said afterwards: "I'm delighted with him and he's coming along nicely and jumped super. It's lovely to have a winner for Mr McManus and Frank (Berry, McManus' racing manager) has been a great help.

"Donie gave him a lovely ride and that's his first ride for me - 7lbs was a help, he gave him a lovely ride and it's lovely to have a chap like him.

"I don't think he wants bottomless ground and I thought Listowel would a bit heavy for him so we said we'd wait - we picked it right and it doesn't always go that way!

"I'll talk to Frank (Berry) and see where we go next but I'm delighted with the horse, charmed!"

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes