Pertemps Qualifier winner to bypass Final

Lean Araig under Robbie Colgan, ran out the narrow winner of the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier) at Punchestown today but looks likely to bypass the final of the series at Cheltenham in March, according to his trainer Oliver McKiernan.

Eventual runner-up Mydor (heavily backed 7/4f) arrived with what looked like a winning challenge under Ruby Walsh at the final flight but having matched in-running at 1.06, Mydor then seemed to lean towards Lean Araig on the run-in. That move combined with the winner's stamina helped Colgan force Lean Araig to the front close home, for a head win.

The actual result was in no doubt passing the post but was complicated as racecourse commentator Dessie Scahill had confused Lean Araig with McKiernan's other unplaced runner Whatuthink from the second last flight.

Scahil did correct the unfortunate mistake shortly after the placed horses passed the finish and McKiernan later reported "the commentator wasn't sure which of them it was and I wasn't sure myself! But I thought the other horse (13 year old Whatuthink) could hardly be going that well at his age.

"I'm delighted with that and delighted with the way he battled. He had it all to do there and dug deep and it looked a goodish race and you'd have to think he has improved.

"We've done very little schooling with him since the last day as I wanted to school him on grass and the land was very frosty. His jumping has improved with each run and today he was really taking them on.

"Three miles definitely doesn't bother him but he could drop back in trip. He won't be going to Cheltenham as he's a young horse and I don't think he's ready for that, as there's a lot of hustle and bustle and also the travelling. I think he might be a nice horse in the future and could go to Fairyhouse instead and might be entitled to run in a novice later this month."

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson