Loose bounces back to form

On The Loose just held on to spring a 25/1 shock in the second division of the Kilkenny Handicap at Gowran Park.

Ben Curtis produced his mount to challenge early in the straight and he battled gamely in the closing stages.

Plenty held chances at the furlong pole but it was Night Singer who finished best and pushed the winner to a short-head at the line.

Well-backed 5/2 favourite To The Sky (from 6/1 in morning), could only finish third.

The Tom McCourt-trained winner had been disappointing over jumps during the winter and came into today's race off the back of two pulled up efforts over fences.

"The rain came in time for him," revealed McCourt afterwards.

"He's had a break since his last run and I thought he might just need it.

"He's had two wind operations and on heavy ground over jumps he just can't handle it."

(GC & AM)