Plan A back to his best

With the defection of Takeyourcapoff just four went to post for the Kerrymaid Hurdle as Plan A bounced back to his best to score for his trainer Gordon Elliott with Paul Carberry aboard.

Sent off the 4/1 favourite for the Fred Winter Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March, he ran well to finish fourth but disappointed next time out at Aintree.

He won on his next start at Perth in April and then finished a respectable seventh in the Galway Hurdle just over ten lengths behind Moon Dice. However he disappointed again on his last start in the Scottish Summer Hurdle at Perth, finishing well behind Overturn when sent off at just 9/2.

Today the 4yo son of Le Vie Dei Colori settled in third for much of the race. He was then niggled along before the straight and moved into the lead at the second last. He stayed on well under pressure from there to score by a length and a quarter at the odds of 11/8 favourite. Definite Class finished second at 3/1, Knockcroghery a further neck back in third at 6/1 while Salute Him and the returning Ruby Walsh finished last of the four a further three lengths behind.

Winning trainer Gordon Elliott said afterwards: "He did it nicely and on the ratings he was entitled to win. He wasn't right after his run the last day at Perth.

"He is in the Lartigue Hurdle on Tuesday but I doubt he will run."

Donal Murphy